TSA

The National Rifle Association's (NRA) call for placing armed security guards in schools Friday was ridiculed by critics on Twitter as similar to the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

In the NRA's first news conference since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the gun lobby's Vice President Wayne LaPierre called for the creation of a "National Schools Shield" which he said "protect our children with the only positive line of defense that's tested and proven to work."

But critics reacting in real time on Twitter said the proposal was similar to the creation of the TSA after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"NRA 'shield' plan, if taken at all seriously, means TSA everywhere, forever," former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum tweeted during the NRA's news conference.

The U.S. Travel Association is praising the Transportation Security Airport (TSA) for expanding the reach of its “Pre-Check” known traveler program to its 35th airport.

The TSA’s Pre-Check program allows passengers to volunteer information to the agency in exchange for the possibility of receiving expedited screening. The program is part of the agency's move to "risk-based" security techniques, which TSA official say will streamline airport security processes.

Travel Association President Roger Dow said TSA’s recent announcement that the Pre-Check program would be launched at Detroit’s John Wayne Airport marked a milestone in its availability to airline passengers. 

“Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and TSA Administrator John Pistole deserve our thanks for their commitment to expanding the Pre-Check trusted traveler program and reaching their goal of 35 participating airports by year's end,” Dow said in a statement. “Air travel continues to be the gateway to commerce and improving efficiency while maintaining the current high level of security is a win-win for travelers and the American economy.”

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will study the effects of its controversial X-ray body scanners on airline passengers, the agency said Tuesday.

TSA has long been under fire from lawmakers and libertarian groups who argue that its X-ray machines invade the privacy of airline passengers. Some critics have also argued that the body scanners expose passengers to harmful levels of radiation, though the agency has steadfastly defended the safety of the X-ray machines.

A spokeswoman for TSA said in a statement the study was the fulfillment of a promise from the agency chief, John Pistole.

The Senate passed several bills by unanimous consent Tuesday night, one of which would give unclaimed clothes recovered at airports to homeless veterans.

Rep. Kathleen Hochul (D-N.Y.) introduced the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, H.R. 6328. The bill would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to give unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans organizations or other charitable groups for distribution to homeless or needy veterans and their families.

Reflecting on his tenure on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) did not want to accept sole responsibility for paternity of the Transportation Security Administration.   Read more...

The Senate passed a bill Thursday night that could make it less of a hassle to check a bag for international travel.

Transportation Security Administration administrator John Pistole was a no-show at a House hearing on aviation security's impact on commerce. 

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday to review the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) impact on commerce in the U.S.

The hearing is part of an ongoing series of investigations into TSA since Republicans took control of the House in 2010.

Officials with the Transportation Committee said Wednesday that the last hearing would determine if TSA's airport security procedures were hampering economic activity in the U.S.

"As the TSA develops and implements its screening procedures, it has a direct impact on the experience of aviation passengers and the movement of goods by air," the committee said in a statement announcing the hearing. "If people are unwilling to fly or are flying less frequently, or if commerce is impeded by delays or service interruptions because of TSA screening procedures, the result is lost revenue for the commercial aviation industry." 

TSA on Thursday reminded holiday travelers that their guidelines ban the carrying of food items ranging from cranberry sauce to gravy.

The House will likely consider a bill next week that would give homeless veterans unclaimed clothing recovered at U.S. airports.