The sequester will force TSA to cut its frontline workforce, furlough its nearly 50,000 officers for seven work days, and initiate a hiring freeze. As a result, passenger wait times at airport security checkpoints will be longer, adding to passenger, flight, and cargo delays.
Welcome, Administrator Pistole. It has been my pleasure to work with you over the past three years, particularly to provide workplace protections for transportation security officers. You have professionalized TSA's workforce, improved security at our nation's airports, and never lost sight of the threats to our transportation infrastructure.
Next month marks the 10 year anniversary of TSA's move to the Department of Homeland Security. Threats to our country have not diminished, but the threat of sequestration would significantly reduce resources.
In just 48 hours this lazy budgetary device will force across the board spending cuts throughout the government. I understand that TSA would be forced to cut its frontline workforce, furlough its nearly 50,000 officers for seven work days, and initiate a hiring freeze. As a result, passenger wait times at airport security checkpoints will be longer, adding to passenger, flight, and cargo delays.
These delays will not just be a matter of inconvenience, they will have real, economic and security impacts. Cargo delays mean a slower chain of commerce. Passenger delays will result in missed and delayed flights. And budget constraints that slow the development of new screening technologies and limit your ability to fully staff airport checkpoints put our aviation security at risk. I know you will do your best to work within these boundaries, but I continue to be concerned for our long term security if we cannot keep up with the advances in technology and planning done by our enemies.
Frankly, it is disheartening that the majority has rejected Democrats' call to prevent sequestration by closing tax loopholes and reining in the growth of future spending.
You have also made positive steps on risk-based screening techniques. I have noticed that TSA PreCheck is up and running at LaGuardia and Kennedy airports and is expanding to other terminals. With 8% of flyers are utilizing PreCheck, and a goal of 25%, I want to make sure that the screening mechanisms used by TSA are accurately and effectively differentiating between the good actors amongst us and those who seek to do harm. I look forward to discussing these matters with you in a few moments.
Again, I thank you for coming before the Subcommittee today. I'd also like to thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price for holding this important hearing.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
