Senate adopts Blunt's TSA screening opt-out plan

Backing a petition by the Springfield-Branson National Airport, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., passed his first Senate amendment Feb. 15.

Blunt said in a news release the amendment – which was unanimously adopted into the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill by voice vote – would require the Transportation Security Administration to reconsider all airport requests to privatize their security screeners that were pending between Jan. 1 and Feb. 3.

Blunt introduced the amendment to Senate Bill 223 on Feb. 1, days after the TSA rejected the Springfield’s airport’s request to contract with private security screeners.

“The bipartisan passage of this amendment is an important step in the right direction, and I will continue to work during the conference process to ensure that Springfield and other airports across the country have the flexibility to determine the best course of action for their individual security needs,” Blunt said in the release.

Should TSA still reject an airport’s opt-out application, the amendment would require an explanation for denial to congressional committees within 30 days. The release said TSA would maintain contractual controls and management to ensure federal security standards are met.[[In-content Ad]]