More TSA agents coming to alleviate passenger screening squeeze
Wednesday, 06 May, 2016
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Lawmakers are hoping to bring some much needed relief to frustrated flyers ahead of the busy summer travel season.
Sen. John Hoeven announced the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security has approved a request to shift $34 million from the DHS budget to help alleviate long passenger screening lines.
The money will go towards hiring and training nearly 800 new TSA agents and fund overtime for the existing workforce.
"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," subcommittee chairman Hoeven said in a statement.
Fellow subcommittee member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said: "Travelers need relief. The security of the traveling public is of utmost importance and I welcome the TSA’s request to shift more resources to improve safety and reduce unacceptably long security lines."
It comes as officials urged Congress to approve other measures to address ‘critical short-term needs’
Rep. John Carter, who assessed the request, took the opportunity to lay into the lack of foresight at the TSA.
"I’m pleased DHS Secretary Johnson is trying to mitigate long lines at airports, and the negative impacts they have on the traveling public," Carter said in a statement.
"However, common sense and historical trends tell us air travel will increase during the summer months and when the economy improves, and TSA has simply failed to plan responsibly."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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