In the News

U.S. Rep. John Katko has joined with two Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee to address a security vulnerability in the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program. 

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, introduced the Securing Expedited Screening Act after a report found an individual who served prison time for crimes committed as a member of a domestic terrorist organization was provided expedited screening by TSA. 

Individuals who enroll in the TSA PreCheck program must submit personal information and receive a security risk assessment before gaining access to expedited screening privileges. But the TSA will allow some passengers who haven't signed up for the program to pass through expedited screening if they are identified as low risk. 

Under Thompson's bill, expedited screening will only be available to individuals enrolled in the PreCheck program or similar initiatives, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry program.

Passengers determined to be low risk, including individuals in certain age groups and members of the military, will also be eligible for expedited screening. 

Thompson's bill is supported by U.S. Reps. John Katko and Kathleen Rice. Katko, R-Camillus, and Rice, D-Garden City, serve as chair and ranking member, respectively, of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security. 

Katko said the legislation will help avoid vulnerabilities in the security screening process. 

"As threats to our aviation sector continue to evolve, it is critical that we do not become complacent and that TSA is held accountable for ensuring the security of the traveling public," Katko said. "The risk-based security model, including the PreCheck program, has been an important step forward in keeping our skies safe and improving the passenger screening experience. I continue to support risk-based security and TSA PreCheck and look forward to seeing the program's continued success going forward."

Rice said the case of the convicted felon being able to pass through an expedited screening lane shows change is needed. 

"This legislation will ensure that expedited screening is available only to passengers enrolled in trusted traveler programs like PreCheck and other passengers known to be low-risk," Rice said. "This is a common-sense response to a major security gap, and I urge my colleagues to give it their full support."

The bill has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee for review.