DeFazio, Thompson Urge TSA Administrator to Provide Financial Relief for Transportation Security Officers
(WASHINGTON)—Today, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, requested a meeting with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske to discuss ways to provide financial relief to Transportation Security Officers (TSO) during the government shutdown.
In particular, the lawmakers urged Administrator Pekoske to brief them on ways TSA uses the funds it collects from the September 11 Passenger Security Fee and if these funds can be used to provide wages to TSOs currently working without pay.
In their letter to Administrator Pekoske, the lawmakers write,
“Today marks TSA employees’ first missed paycheck, and many of them will struggle to meet their financial obligations as a result. This jeopardizes not only the financial well-being of these hard-working individuals and their families, but could also ultimately threaten our nation’s aviation security.”
Chairmen DeFazio and Thompson have previously introduced legislation, the FASTER Act, which would end the diversion of funds collected from the Passenger Security Fee and ensure those funds only go to aviation security.
To view a PDF version of the letter click here.
# # #
CONTACT:
Beth Schoenbach (DeFazio): 202-225-6416
Adam Comis (Thompson): 202-225-9978
Next Article Previous Article