KATKO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO REFORM OVERSIGHT MEASURES AT TSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Katko (NY-24), House Homeland Security Committee Transportation Security Subcommittee Chairman, today announced that he has introduced the bipartisan “Improved Vetting for Aviation Workers Act of 2015,” legislation that puts in place new oversight measures for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure the safety of our nation’s airports.  A recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) report found that 73 aviation workers at airports across the country had ties to terrorism.

“Since the start of this Congress, my subcommittee has actively examined a number of alarming aspects related to the TSA’s operations, policies, and procedures.  Through hearings, oversight inquiries, and legislation, I have been working to get to the bottom of these issues and raise awareness of the urgent need to fix them,” said Rep. John Katko. “Recent revelations that the TSA cleared for employment individuals with potential ties to terrorism demonstrate the dire need for improved, streamlined procedures at the TSA.”

Katko’s legislation implements recent recommendations outlined in the DHS IG’s report to strengthen the vetting of credentialed aviation workers who have access to sensitive areas of airports.  The bill focuses on ensuring that TSA has access to necessary data to properly vet aviation employees by strengthening criminal background check capabilities and resolving issues of lawful status for credentialed applicants.

“While the TSA is charged with the vital task of protecting Americans and ensuring the utmost safety of our transportation systems, it is clear that our nation’s airports are vulnerable to insider threats.  This legislation takes a first step in working to reform the issues that plague the TSA and to ensure the safety of our traveling public.” concluded Rep. Katko. 

Specifically, this legislation mandates coordination between the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Interagency Policy Committee, and the Administrator of TSA to determine the best practices to expand the vetting process for aviation workers.  This would include enhancing the process for vetting aviation workers against the Terrorist Identities DataMart Environment (TIDE) database.  The bill also provides a timeline for the TSA Administrator to issue guidance strengthening credentialing requirements for aviation workers.

Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, Transportation Security Ranking Member Kathleen Rice, and Rep. Donald Payne joined Rep. Katko in introducing this legislation.

Last week, Rep. Katko sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to express his concern over the recent DHS IG report.  Tomorrow, he will hold a hearing to identify what Congress needs to do to close gaps at the TSA and address these startling vulnerabilities.

This Congress, Rep. Katko has held two additional subcommittee hearings focused on airline employee screening and ‘risk-based security’ as it related to passenger screening.   Both hearings revealed that severe security lapses existed.  Additionally, he has sponsored legislation to ensure TSA operates in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  Both the TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act (H.R. 719) and the Airport Security Enhancement Act (H.R. 720) have passed the House and the Senate committee of jurisdiction. 

Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego Counties.  For more information, visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.

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