Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act Passes the House With Green Amendment

(Washington, DC)--On June 4, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2200, legislation authorizing $15.6 billion for the activities of the Transportation Security Administration, by a 397-25 vote.  H.R. 2200 is the first measure to fully authorize the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) since the enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001.  This bipartisan bill contained an amendment offered by Congressman Al Green that addresses the number of misidentified passengers under TSA’s Secure Flight, a uniform prescreening program.

The Green amendment requires the Comptroller General to provide data on the total number of misidentified passengers who must undergo secondary screening or who have been prevented from boarding a plane.  The purpose of the amendment is to determine whether TSA’s Secure Flight will reduce the number of individuals misidentified against the terror watch list.  This provision will help Congress to ascertain whether Secure Flight is fulfilling its mission of reducing instances of misidentified individuals by collecting and analyzing statistical as well as anecdotal data.

The Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act included not only the Green Amendment, but also other important provisions such as enhancements for surface transportation security, aviation security, and security training and performance. 

“Our nation’s air, land and marine transportation systems are vulnerable to terrorist attacks due to their accessibility in our open society.  It is critical that we use our resources to eliminate as many vulnerabilities throughout our homeland as possible.  The Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act will guide the efforts of TSA to enhance the safety and security of our transportation systems,” Congressman Al Green said. "Keeping the American people safe is the number-one priority of Congress. The men and women who protect our transportation systems must be provided with the necessary resources to keep the American people safe and this bill is an important step in that direction.”