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Hearing Hearing Date: April 27, 2016 10:00 am 2154 Rayburn HOB

Examining Management Practices and Misconduct at TSA: Part I

Subject
Examining Management Practices and Misconduct at TSA: Part I
Date
April 27, 2016
Time
10:00 am
Place
2154 Rayburn HOB

 

0427 TSA

TAKEAWAYS:

  • As a result of a chilling culture of intimidation and retaliation at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), security gaps go unaddressed, and senior employees are not held accountable for misconduct.
  • The TSA Office of Inspections instills fear in the workforce by abusing integrity testing as a way to improve its own performance metrics at the expense of blameless line employees.
  • Directed reassignments are used to force out disfavored employees. Further, the costs associated with the reassignments are exorbitant and wasteful.
  • TSA was once again ranked one of the worst places to work in the federal government, ranking 313 out of 320.
  • The Committee will conduct a follow-up hearing in May with Administrator Peter Neffenger.

PURPOSE:

  • To examine systemic management and leadership challenges facing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the toll it takes on their workforce.
  • To hear from current TSA employees who will share firsthand experiences related to retaliation,intimidation, and improper use of directed reassignments, both in the field and from TSA headquarters.

BACKGROUND:

  • As part of its ongoing investigation into TSA, the Committee previously requested documents from TSA related to executive misconduct, cash bonuses, and directed reassignments.
  • In November 2015, the Committee questioned TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger and the Department of Homeland Security inspector general at a hearing on potential security gaps within TSA. The hearing highlighted the need for TSA to adopt a more proactive approach in effectively addressing flaws within the agency.

KEY VIDEOS:

 Transportation and Public Assets Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL): “TSA can’t recruit, it can’t train, it can’t retain, it can’t schedule, and it can’t manage the huge bureaucracy that’s been created.”

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA):“Mr. Chairman, I just have to tell you, I’m pretty disgusted right now and I’m looking forward to us having another hearing.”

Witnesses and testimonies: Mr. Jay Brainard

Federal Security Director - Kansas, Office of Security Operations
Transportation Security Administration

Document

Mr. Mark Livingston

Program Manager, Office of the Chief Risk Officer
Transportation Security Administration

Document

Mr. Andrew Rhoades

Assistant Federal Security Director, Office of Security Operations
Transportation Security Administration

Document

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