Thad Cochran: “This amendment seeks to amend section 402 of the bill. Section 402 creates a new entitlement program, in effect, and it…”

“This amendment seeks to amend section 402 of the bill. Section 402 creates a new entitlement program, in effect, and it is a capital fund program that would permit the Transportation Security Administration to use up to $500 million--the first $500 million collected each year from the emplanement fee; $2.50 per passenger that is now collected under current law--and transfer those funds to the Department of Transportation for administration of this capital fund. The Department of Transportation could then allocate those funds to airports for security improvements. There are provisions in the amendment about how much hub airports would be entitled to--40 percent; 20 percent to medium hub airports, and the like.”