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March 31, 2022

Reps. Watson Coleman, Rice Applaud TSA Announcing Gender-Neutral Checkpoint Screening

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Chairwoman of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Transportation & Maritime Security Subcommittee, and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), sponsor of H.R. 4249, the Screening With Dignity Act, applauded an announcement from the Department Homeland Security (DHS) - on International Transgender Day of Visibility - that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a number of screening measures that are gender-neutral and will also reduce unnecessary patdowns at airport security checkpoints without reducing security. This includes improving screening machine algorithms and additional training for Transportation Security Officers.

“I’m grateful the Transportation Security Administration is making great strides to update its procedures in a way that respects the gender identity of travelers without sacrificing public safety,” said Chairwoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “This change to gender-neutral screening measures will increase trust in the TSA by updating technology and training for Transportation Security Officers. I applaud the work of the TSA to implement these changes and look forward to continuing to work with them to build a safer and more inclusive travel experience for everyone.”

“I am so glad to see TSA act to make airport screening a safer and more dignified experience for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming travelers,” said Congresswoman Rice. “Strong security protocols do not need to be incompatible with respectful passenger screening, and these measures will help protect passenger privacy and end discrimination, humiliation, and harassment for all travelers. These are changes that I have been advocating for in the Screening With Dignity Act. I’m grateful to Secretary Mayorkas and TSA Administrator Pekoske for their leadership and I look forward to working with them to successfully execute these new standards.”

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