Transportation Security: Are Our Airports Safe?

WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13, 2015 the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing to examine transportation security and airport safety. The hearing titled “Transportation Security: Are Our Airports Safe” will specifically consider aviation security issues raised since the inception of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

BACKGROUND:

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The ATSA mandated a federalized workforce of security screeners to inspect airline passengers and their baggage. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 consolidated TSA into the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. In keeping with the Committee’s role in shaping the Department’s mission and goals, the Homeland Security Act delegated this Committee responsibility for conducting broad oversight of the Department and its agencies. This hearing will examine overall policies and protocol adopted by TSA, which facilitates and secures the travel of nearly two million air passengers daily at approximately 440 airports nationwide.