Diane Watson: “I stand in support of H.R. 4727, but I want to bring up another matter that relates to security and it relates more to…”

“I stand in support of H.R. 4727, but I want to bring up another matter that relates to security and it relates more to the Transportation Security Administration. Mr. Chairman, since September 11 of last year, Congress has taken important steps to help ensure the safety of America's flying public. For example, we established the Transportation Security Administration, federalized airport baggage screeners and expanded the Federal Air Marshal Program. Although these were valuable first steps, we must make sure that they are effective. For example, recent press reports have indicated that the Air Marshal Program has encountered significant problems as the service seeks to expand in response to last year's terrorist attacks. Subsequently, I have requested that the GAO conduct a study on reported failures of the Air Marshal Program. Among the problems cited in recent news articles are: Many new air marshals were given guns and badges and put aboard planes and flights before extensive background checks were completed; marshals have complained that program rules, specifically the dress code, can identify them as air marshals, thereby limiting their effectiveness and putting them in jeopardy; scheduling problems had left many marshals working as much as 16 hours a day while others are idle for weeks. These problems, among others, have led at least 80 air marshals to resign from the program and some to consider a class action lawsuit, according to the article.”