Congressman Robert Garcia Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve TSA Screening Experience for Travelers
Washington,
D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), joined by co-leads
Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01) and Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03),
introduced the Supporting Passengers with Efficient and Effective
Detention (SPEED) through Screening Act, which will require the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop strategies to
reduce intrusive pat-downs without reducing transportation security,
with particular consideration of passenger populations who receive
pat-downs at disproportionately high rates. Security pat-downs during
travel can be inconvenient, humiliating, and uncomfortable for
travelers, and this legislation aims to make the travel process more
respectful while maintaining the highest standards of security. To read
the full bill text, click here.
“No one likes having strangers from TSA pat them down while going
through the airport, but it can be especially uncomfortable for minority
communities, people with disabilities, and for those who wear religious
garments. The SPEED through Screening Act will push the TSA to do
everything they can to make the traveling experience more comfortable
and pleasant without compromising safety,” said Congressman Robert
Garcia. “TSA has a responsibility to ensure their practices protect
communities disproportionately targeted for security pat-downs while
also protecting our national security. We must make sure folks feel
respected as they undergo travel checkpoints, and don’t fear flying.”
“I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan SPEED Through Screening Act,
a crucial step towards making air travel more respectful and efficient.
This commonsense bill requires the TSA to develop strategies to reduce
invasive pat-downs, which can be uncomfortable and invasive for
travelers,” said Congressman Nick LaLota. “This legislation prioritizes
the well-being of all travelers and ensures that our travel process is
secure and dignified. I look forward to working with Congressmen Garcia
and McGarvey to get this bill signed into law and improve the lives of
all Americans.”
“We’re long overdue to update and modernize TSA's screening processes.
It’s possible to improve the passenger experience without compromising
our security and safety,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “I’m proud
to partner with Rep. Garcia on this important issue and will continue
working to ensure TSA has not only the most effective screening
technology but treats every traveler with dignity and respect."
The Supporting Passengers with Efficient and Effective Detention (SPEED)
through Screening Act will specifically require TSA to develop a
strategy to reduce pat-downs without reducing security, with
consideration for passenger populations who receive pat-downs at a
disproportionately high rate; require TSA to develop a strategy to
reduce the need for passengers to divest items when going through
security; make a statutory change to allow for TSA to move forward with
testing and operating standoff detection technology, which is a
noninvasive technology that has the potential to improve the passenger
experience; and require TSA to capture anonymized statistics regarding
how it screens passengers to better understand the impacts of its
screening operations.
According to the United States Government Accountability Office, some
existing TSA practices can result in certain passengers being referred
for additional screening more than others. These include minority
communities, people with disabilities, and those who wear religious
headwear, making these groups more susceptible to humiliating and
invasive pat-downs even if they don’t pose a threat.
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