No More Excuses From TSA

Floor Speech

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Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, why does it seem like no one at an airport security checkpoint has been delegated with that awesome, yet shockingly absent, power of common sense? Why is the 80-year-old granny in a wheelchair being harassed? Why is the U.S. military servicemember in uniform with a military ID on military orders having his or her toothpaste confiscated?

As the management and resource allocation issues rise that are plaguing the bureaucracy at the TSA, red flags are going up with the peak travel season nearly upon us. Some airline passengers report wait times of as long as 2 or 3 hours to get through security.

Long lines will only get longer if the TSA doesn't pursue a course correction, that of coordinating with airport authorities and airlines to ensure that staffing levels match peak travel times.

If you have four lanes being occupied and if you have a long wait, maybe you should occupy some more of the available security lanes. Allow law enforcement to do its law enforcement duties to free up more screeners to screen.

Airlines can do their part by knocking off the madness with the hidden baggage fees. The trick might help fill seats on planes, but it is resulting in more people taking their baggage through security.

By the way, the TSA doesn't have a funding issue. Last year this Congress gave it more than it asked for. No one wants to hear the TSA's excuses.

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