Day: December 21, 2010

FROM A BLISTERING EMAIL ABOUT THE TSA AND THE FOURTH

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Dear Mr. Reinke:    Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about Transportation Security Administration (TSA) aircraft passenger screening procedure. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun using advanced imaging technology (AIT) at 70 airports across the country. This technology allows screeners to take a snapshot of passengers without any physical contact to determine if there are dangerous weapons or other contraband hidden under a passenger’s clothes. TSA maintains that passenger privacy is protected by separating the officer attending the passenger from the officer viewing the image and blurring the face of the passenger. The viewing officer is remotely located and images cannot be stored, transmitted, or printed, and they are deleted immediately after viewing. In addition, passengers who do not wish to receive AIT screening can opt out for a physical pat-down.      During consideration of the “Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act” (H.R. 2200) in the House of Representatives, an amendment was considered that would prohibit TSA from using AIT machines for primary screening, require TSA to give passengers a choice of a pat-down search instead of a body scan, and prohibit TSA from storing, transferring, or copying any images. This amendment was included in the final version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives. The “Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act” has been referred to the Senate and is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, on which I serve.    In addition, the “American Traveler Dignity Act of 2010” (H.R. 6416) has been introduced in the House of Representatives. This legislation would clarify that TSA and its employees can be sued for subjecting airline passengers to advanced imaging technology or physical contact. This bill is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee, and similar legislation has not been introduced in the Senate. Please be assured that I will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation and will keep your views in mind should it come for a vote before a Committee on which I serve or the full Senate. Thank you again for contacting me. FRL: mts
Sincerely, Senator Lautenberg
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SO why do I need TWO US Senators? I get the same response from both of them. So let’s just cut staff and save a lot of money. Argh!

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