WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) awarded contracts for $50 million of new uniforms just two days before automatic across-the-board spending cuts known as sequester, and Representatives Jason Chaffetz (Rep-UT) and John Mica (Rep-FL) want an explanation. Less than two weeks after the uniform purchases, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned of long lines at airports due to sequester-related furloughs of TSA agents. In a letter to TSA Administration John Pistole, Chavez wrote, “The rationale behind the timing of TSA’s uniform contract and other uncertainties surrounding the contract award raise concerns.”
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NASHVILLE, TN – A mother who refused to allow TSA airport screeners to pat down her 14 year old daughter last year has been convicted of “disorderly conduct”. The court sentenced Andrea Fornella Abbott of Clarksville, TN to one year probation. Abbott was arrested by Nashville airport authorities in July 2011 after protesting the procedure. According to the official police report, she refused to allow her daughter to be “touched inappropriately” or have her “crotch grabbed”. Ms Abbot also refused to be scanned, because she “did not want her or her daughters’ naked bodies revealed
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Rand Paul has introduced two bills that would essentially end the Transportation Security Administration as it now operates. He is proposing the federalized program be turned over to private security companies and has provided a blueprint of what amounts to a passenger bill of rights. If passed, one bill would require that the federalized screening program be turned over to private firms and allow airports to select companies approved by the Department of Homeland Securityto handle the work. Another bill would permit travelers to opt out of pat-downs and be rescreened,
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NEW YORK, NY – Long Island Congressman, Steve Israel is addressing growing concerns about the potential danger of radiation exposure due to full body scanners used in many airports. Congressman Israel has called on the Transportation Security Administration to conduct an independent investigation into possible health risks caused by Backscatter X-ray scanners. “I have a high regard for the TSA, but I also know that when government says ‘trust us and we don’t have to open this up to more scrutiny,’ you should open it up to more scrutiny,” said Israel. He went on to
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BOSTON, MA – Due to a routine traffic stop by local police it has been discovered that 25 illegal aliens were approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to attend a Boston-area flight school. Six of the illegal aliens had already obtained pilot’s licenses. Though the TSA is charged with preventing illegals from obtaining pilot’s license, it failed miserably in this case. According to the Government Accountability Office eight of the illegal flight-school attendees entered the country illegally and 17 were in violation of their approved admission period to the U.S. It took a local
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WASHINGTON (CBSDC) – The Department of Homeland Security will soon be using a laser at airports that can detect everything about you from over 160 feet away. This is being made possible by the Picosecond Programmable Laser, a new laser-based scanner that can read everything from a person’s adrenaline levels, to traces of gun powder on a person’s clothes, to illegal substances without subjects even knowing they have been scanned. These laser detection devices are slated to be widely deployed across airports, roadside checkpoints, sports stadiums and anywhere else the government wants to surveil the
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WASHINGTON, DC – A joint congressional panel reported Wednesday that safety equipment costing taxpayers an estimated $184 million, which was purchased to screen airline passengers, is collecting dust in government warehouses.  The investigative report comes from the Republican staff of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Darrell Issa (Rep – CA) and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, headed by John Mica (Rep – FL). The report, “Airport Insecurity: TSA’s Failure to Cost-Effectively Procure, Deploy and Warehouse its Screening Technologies”, reveals how 85 percent of about 5,700 security units is warehoused
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WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Rand Paul (R—Kentucky) issued a press release this week vowing to lead a movement to “end the TSA,” to stop the unnecessary and humiliating groping of toddlers and grandmothers. Paul made news earlier in the year when he was detained by the TSA. Earlier this year, Senator Paul was detained at an airport in Nashville, Tennessee while attempting to board a flight to the US capital. After passing through a full body scanner, an “anomaly” in the lawmaker’s knee raised a red flag and TSA agents asked him to submit to
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ORLANDO, FL – Orlando Sanford International Airport, of America’s busiest, announced its plans to no longer use TSA workers in screening passengers. “The president of the airport said Tuesday that he would apply again to use private operators to screen passengers, using federal standards and oversight,” reports the Miami Herald. Though Sanford International was denied the right to opt out of TSA services in November 2010, a law passed by the Senate last month forces the TSA to reconsider applications. Several other major US airports are now considering the same move as the Orlando airport. Orlando
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ORLANDO, FL – The Department of Homeland Security announced a pilot program aimed at speeding airline passengers through pre-flight security checks is expanding to Orlando and at least another two dozen other cities. A special lane will be provided allowing select, pre-screened passengers to avoid taking off their shoes and similar inconveniences. This PreCheck program being tested by the Transportation Security Administration’s is only for a limited segment of airline passengers. Specifically it will be offered for select airlines frequent-flier programs and by busy international travelers enrolled in a federal registry. Authorization to take advantage
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