Proposed $7.8 Billion Measure Is An Increase Over 2011

A measure to fund TSA to the tune of $7.8 billion next year is making its way through Congress. The U.S. House passed the measure Friday, and it is pending in the U.S. Senate.

The amount represents an increase of $153 million over the 2011 fiscal year appropriation, but it is $274 million less than had been requested by President Obama, according to USA Today.

The President had proposed boosting a security fee of $2.50 per leg to $5.00 each way as a means of funding the agency. That fee would increase to $7.50 each way over the next five years. Airlines fought hard against the fees, saying that they went more to deficit reduction than to TSA.

The bill requires DHS to brief relevant committees on proposed trusted traveler programs by mid-February, and calls for reports twice a year to congress concerning cargo screening. It also says the agency should consider "privacy and civil liberties" in new security measures, and caps the number of full-time screeners at its current 46,000.

FMI: www.tsa.gov