As millions of travelers are expected to take to the skies for the holidays in the coming weeks, Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday called for a “top-to-bottom” review of the Transportation Security Administration in the wake of a report that showed huge lapses in the federal agency’s airport screening procedures.
“In an era of lone wolf terrorists, the continued TSA security failures at airports across the country are highly concerning and a major threat we must neutralize,” the New York Democrat said. “In light of the recent test result reports, TSA should move immediately to address all holes, shortfalls and gaps in training procedures, technology, and the entire airport security process.”
Schumer raised the alarm after a report from the Office of the Inspector General revealed last week that undercover officers were able more than 70 percent of the time to get through security checkpoints with fake knives, guns and explosives.
In light of that report, Schumer urged the Department of Homeland Security to immediately “conduct a top-to-bottom review of the effectiveness of the TSA’s employee training procedures, as well the need for upgraded detection technology.”
At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said the inspector general noted “vulnerabilities in covert testing” in the TSA’s security screening at airports.
“This revelation is deeply alarming,” Schumer said, “especially during a time in which lone wolf terrorist threats are at an all-time high.”