05.04.16

Hoeven: Senate DHS Appropriations Committee Approves $34 Million to Relieve Airport Security Lines Ahead of Summer Travel Surge

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after approving a DHS request to shift $34 million in funding in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) budget in order to increase the number of TSA screeners at U.S airports and help mitigate long wait times at security checkpoints.

“Our number one priority is keeping the traveling public safe, which can and should be done without travelers waiting in security lines for hours on end,” said Hoeven. “The ranking member and I approved DHS’s request to shift $34 million in funding, which will enable TSA to hire additional screeners as well as provide overtime for security officers to keep lines moving ahead of the summer travel surge. I expect TSA to work with the airports and airlines to ensure that all necessary steps are being taken to be effective and efficient in its duty to keep the public safe.”

The $34 million dollars will enable TSA to accelerate the hiring and training of 768 Transportation Security Officers, as well as provide funding for additional overtime for current officers.

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