A proposal to allow special security escorts at airports for members of Congress and judges under credible threat was opposed by Rep. Bennie Thompson (Mississippi), the ranking Democratic member of the House of Representatives. removed from FAA reauthorization. Security Committee, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The provision, sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), provides security escorts and special inspections for lawmakers, judges and cabinet members facing what federal law enforcement experts determine is a real threat. It was something to do. Eligible individuals do not determine eligibility for themselves.
Lawmakers and judges facing threats would have been given the same treatment as government officials such as deputy chief justices, parliamentary leaders and big city mayors, who undergo special security checks.
Whether or not they have been threatened, rank-and-file members of Congress are now subject to regular TSA screenings, even if they are more prominent than some administration officials who are currently exempt.
And advocates argue that requiring the agency, rather than federal law enforcement, to notify the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of covered employees’ travel plans would minimize the burden on federal law enforcement. He claims that he would have been
Mr. Thompson blocked the FAA from adding the language to the reauthorization after the TSA campaigned against it, according to people familiar with the negotiations. Congressional leaders and administration officials also opposed expanding the pool of federal employees eligible for special protection, the person said.
The official said TSA routinely overstated the scope of the proposed changes and actively campaigned against them, claiming they applied to all members of Congress.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson declined to comment on TSA’s communications to Congress regarding the bill.
Thompson’s staff did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mr. Cruz’s proposal was added to the FAA reauthorization bill in February, but Congress would need to pass a bill in March that would fully extend the agency’s authority to give lawmakers time to craft a long-term bill. there were. This extension expires on May 10th.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) opposed Mr. Cruz’s proposal at the time, saying it could set a “very dangerous precedent that would exempt some people from a national security process that is essential to national security.” said.
And in February, Kevin Murphy, executive director of the Airport Law Enforcement Network, said: told Politico It said the proposal would be “a burden on airport police agencies” and would divert police from “our fundamental duty of crime prevention and security at airports”.
Lawmakers who authored the proposal would limit special security checks that the Capitol Police say would only affect a small number of senators and representatives who face serious threats.
“There are a lot of faceless lieutenant governors and nameless mayors going through this special review right now,” said a staffer familiar with the behind-the-scenes negotiations over the bill.
“As we tried to do here, it should be limited to people facing serious threats. Powers with whom there is disagreement,” the source said.
The rejected language would have given TSA the flexibility to disqualify a person for special screening if they or any of their travel companions are found to be in possession of prohibited items.
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