• Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., introduced
the Checkpoint Optimization and
Efficiency Act of 2016—passed by the
House in June—which would require
the TSA to evaluate its existing staffing allocation model and share the
model with airlines and airports.
• Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., unveiled
the Safe Convenient Reliable Efficient
Effective Next-Generation Functional
and Secure TSA (SCREEN FAST)
Act, which would create two pilot
programs focused on increasing efficiency and security at airports and
establishing prototypes for innovative screening techniques.
• Senator John Thune, R-S.D.,
who chairs the powerful Senate
summer. This extra cash would translate
into roughly 3,000 additional screeners
at 20 of the country’s busiest airports.
If approved, this measure would greatly
augment action taken in May, when
appropriators approved $34 million for
TSA to hire and train new screeners.
by Senate appropriators sends the
message that Congress is dedicated to
resolving the issue of long wait lines,
and in light of the massive amount of
media buzz the issue has generated,
Congress will be hard-pressed not to
pass robust funding bills for TSA.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Conclusion
Despite the problems, there is light at
the end of the tunnel. Administrator
Neffenger has been working hard to
address the problems at TSA. In congressional hearings, he emphasized his
efforts to resolve the mismanagement
and hostile work culture problems.
Most members of Congress present
at TSA hearings lauded Administrator
In every TSA-related hearing, members of
both parties have agreed that a robust and
effective TSA is a boon to our economy, to
travelers and to our national security.
Generally speaking, when Democrats
and Republicans are on the same page
on an issue, progress is made. With the
Senate having taken action and the House
focused on addressing the issue expedi-
Commerce Committee, included
provisions in the Senate’s Federal
Aviation Administration bill that
would seek to increase the usage of
the TSA PreCheck program.
Neffenger for the progress he has made
in addressing the long wait lines and
fixing TSA’s work culture. Those efforts
include expanding enrollment for
PreCheck, an expedited screening program, and firing management officials
who were involved in gross misconduct.
The $7.7 billion spending bill approved
ently, there’s hope this could become a
bright spot in the contentious political
environment of an election year.
TSA has been active as well, requesting an additional $28 million for this
McBee Strategic is a Washington, D.C.,
lobbying firm retained by NTA to advise
association members about travel-related
issues and legislation in the U.S. Congress.
“I had wonderful appointments—
and a lot of them.”
—PeterWaugh,BroadwayInbound,NewYorkCity
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