Transportation Security

Each and every day, all of us rely on some mode of transportation to work and take care of our families.  Despite the importance of transportation to us all, our ground, mass transit, rail, and even air transportation remain vulnerable to terrorism.

The Federal government stood up the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as its answer to transportation security problems, mainly at airports.  Since its creation, TSA has been plagued by failures that have resulted in a number of airport security breaches.  Unfortunately, its small size and temporary workforce have yet to implement real security measures to protect our railroads and mass transit.  At the same time, our State and local public transit agencies, which have already spent $2 billion to enhance security and emergency preparedness since the 9/11 attacks, continue to be left to largely fend for themselves.  The federal government’s main proposal to fund transportation security programs has involved a tax on folks who fly – something that I have fought vigorously against in my role as the Ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

I am a strong proponent of a comprehensive transportation security program and feels that any vulnerability in our ability to protect our citizens as they travel for their work, family, or pleasure, is one worry too many.  I believe that our airports and their staffs must have the proper resources to ensure that our airspace is safe from the likes of the shoe-bomber and other hijackers and has put pressure on the Department of Homeland Security to properly screen of all passengers and cargo that will board take to the skies.