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."

FMI: http://blackburn.house.gov, http://mica.house.gov, www.TSAunion.com