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November 7, 2003
ROCKEFELLER SAYS MORE COORDINATION AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO IMPROVE AVIATION SECURITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Working to make air travel as safe as possible, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) called for better coordination and resources for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) earlier this week at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing. Rockefeller, who requested the hearing because of recent gaps in aviation security, noted that he would not be satisfied with the TSA’s efforts until it was clear that major improvements were being made.
“In the last two years we have made some improvements in aviation security, but there is still much to do,” said Rockefeller, ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation. “In order to continuously make improvements, we must strengthen the planning and cooperation within TSA and between TSA and the intelligence community.”
Rockefeller, a key player in crafting the Aviation and Transportation Security Act – the major piece of security legislation post 9/11, also noted that the gaps in security in past months may be attributed to the budget restraints facing TSA. For example, TSA has recently cut thousands of security screeners in airports throughout the nation.
Expressing his concern about the budget issues facing the TSA program, Rockefeller said, “TSA’s ability to create a dynamic and responsive aviation security system that can quickly react to new intelligence information and threats is greatly hindered by budget shortages.”
“These shortages have caused TSA to cut screeners – an essential workforce in our security sector,” Rockefeller continued. “I know screeners in West Virginia are very concerned about their futures and our airports are concerned about the transporting the passengers safely, securely and quickly with fewer screeners.”
“TSA cannot effectively carry out its mission – to protect travelers and commercial aviation from terrorist attacks – unless it has the budget resources, proper coordination with other agencies, and the workforce to do so,” the senator added.
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