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October 04, 2011

Thompson Statement on TSA PreCheck Pilot Program

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the announcement from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole that the agency will be implementing a pilot program for a risk-based pre-screening security initiative called PreCheck:

"As someone who has championed secure and commonsense enhancements to checkpoint screening, I am pleased that Administrator Pistole is moving forward with long-sought reforms. With this announcement, TSA will take concrete steps to address concerns about the one-size-fits-all approach that TSA has utilized since it was established."

"Although the initial eligible population under the PreCheck program appears to be fairly limited, it will be important to integrate results gleaned from the pilot program into tailored screening processes for other travelers, especially those in special populations like the disabled and elderly. Given the clear need for checkpoint screening reforms and the public dissatisfaction with current procedures, I will continue to exercise scrutiny and oversight of TSA's efforts at designing, testing, and implementing this program."

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Media Contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978