Val Demings: “47,000 Transportation Security officers just heard the comments of my colleague, Mrs. Lesko, and many of them we will…”

“47,000 Transportation Security officers just heard the comments of my colleague, Mrs. Lesko, and many of them we will see today as we cast our votes and fly home to our districts. I am sure many people on this House floor will say, ``Thank you for your service,'' to the 47,000 men and women who do the jobs to keep the flying public safe every day. The behavior that Mrs. Lesko cited from LAX, that is offensive to, I am sure, everyone in this room. But let me be clear: There is nothing in this bill that will allow the TSA to hire individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes or offenses against a minor, a crime of violence, or terrorism. And let me be clear. In the example, also, that she cited, there is nothing that would have precluded this person from being hired in the first place. The behavior took place after the person was hired. This is a red herring. We decided not to offer this amendment because it simply isn't necessary. TSA conducts rigorous background checks and will continue to do so. Now, let me say this: I was assigned to the Orlando International Airport as a police captain during 9/11, and I did not come today to play political games, and neither did the 242 cosponsors of this bill. Mr. Speaker, let me make this clear. A vote for this motion to recommit is a vote against the Transportation Security officers. They are the frontline workers who worked through a government shutdown, without being paid, to keep America safe.…”