Under The Blackburn Bill, No More Badges And Uniforms For
Untrained TSOs
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) (pictured) has
introduced legislation she says is designed to rein in the
Transportation Security Administration, and provide more
transparency for American travelers. H.R. 3608, the Stop TSA's
Reach In Policy (STRIP) Act, would prohibit any TSA employee not
trained as a federal law enforcement officer or eligible for
federal law enforcement benefits from wearing law enforcement
uniforms or wearing a police-like metal badge.
In 2005 TSA made administrative changes reclassifying the title
of airport security screeners to Transportation Security Officers
(TSO's) and changed their uniforms to resemble those of a federal
law enforcement officer. In 2008, TSA added metal badges to the
uniforms, similar to those worn by federal law enforcement.
However, TSO's are not required to receive any law enforcement
training and they are not eligible for federal law enforcement
benefits.
Despite the fact that TSO's are 'officers' in name only, Blackburn
says some have chosen to abuse their limited authority against the
unsuspecting public. She cites an example earlier this year of a
TSO in New Jersey who was arrested for impersonating an officer,
and days before Thanksgiving a Virginia woman was brutally raped
after a TSO approached her in uniform, waving his badge.
“It is outrageous that in a post 9/11 world that the
American people should have to live in fear of those whose job it
is to keep us safe," Blackburn said. "Congress has sat idly by as
the TSA strip searches 85 year old grandmothers in New York, pats
down 3 year olds in Chattanooga, and checks colostomy bags for
explosives in Orlando. Enough is enough! The least we can do is end
this impersonation which is an insult to real cops," Blackburn said
in a statement.
There are 25 co-sponsors of the bill in the U.S. House,
including Transportation Committee Chair John Mica (R-FL), who
despite being one of the authors of the legislation which created
the TSA has since become one of the agency most outspoken
critics.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the union
representing TSA workers, strongly criticized the bill following
its introduction, saying in a statement it "does nothing but add
insult and disrespect to workers performing essential duties at an
agency key to this country's security."
"Every single member of Congress should be supporting federal
employees, not trying to demean them," AFGE National President John
Gage said. "This bill has nothing of significance, certainly does
nothing to add to our national security, and, at a point where
Congress should be focused on the budget, economy, jobs, etc., is a
complete waste of time.
"Reps. Blackburn, Mica and their other cohorts in the House need
to stop bullying the TSA workforce, and maybe just worry about
doing their own jobs," Gage said. "Instead of actually helping to
fight terrorism, they are inspiring the type of unnecessary and
disrespectful behavior by a few members of the public with an
agenda that in fact diverts attention from securing American
skies.
"These members of Congress should get an award for the biggest
waste of time and money," Gage said. "Other than maybe a Google
search, it doesn't seem like there was any research done so I guess
they saved money there. But for this ridiculous bill to be
developed and introduced must have required staff writing, counsel
approval, trying to get cosponsors, staff briefings, and on. That's
a lot of effort for a little pettiness. I think the American public
deserves to know how much of their taxpayer money went into
this.
"If there are any legitimate complaints about TSA policies and
procedures, take them up with the agency that created them," Gage
added. "TSA workers follow those procedures as instructed. Those
who would attack workers for following procedure should think twice
and maybe take up a hobby."