On the recordMarch 4, 2020
First, let me commend the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee for this timely piece of legislation, this long-time coming piece of legislation. As has been stated, we fly home every week, and us being in Homeland Security, we interact with the TSOs on a regular basis. I don't know what is going on in the gentleman from Alabama's airports, but these officers are really first responders who stand in the gap of whether we fly or travel safely every single day. They check thousands of bags for weapons that could be used to harm people flying or the pilots or the staff on airplanes, and we can't give them a dignified wage, a living wage? I talk to them. Some of them have two jobs. Why should someone with such an important duty to keep our airways safe from terrorists and harm have to leave there and go work at Burger King? It is not right. I commend the gentleman from Mississippi once again for this. These people need to be given the dignity that they deserve. They stand in the gap every single day, and not to pay them a commensurate salary with their job is criminal.
