[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 22 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 INTRODUCTION OF THE ``RIGHTS FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS ACT 
                               OF 2016''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 8, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today, I join with 
Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) to introduce the ``Rights for 
Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016,'' legislation to ensure 
that the dedicated men and women that serve on the frontlines at our 
Nation's airports have receive the rights and protections afforded to 
their counterparts within the Department and the Federal government.
  When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established 
in 2002, in response to the September 11th attacks, Congress acted 
swiftly to transfer responsibility for security screening at airports 
from the private sector to the Federal government. We did so with the 
expectation that a system-wide approach would be taken to protecting 
our Nation's vital aviation sector and the passengers that are its 
lifeblood. Over the years, Congress has come to realize that some of 
the flexibilities that were provided to TSA when it was established 
were too broad and warranted refinement. For instance, when Congress 
recognized that TSA's exercise of acquisition flexibilities was not 
yielding the outcomes that TSA and the flying public need, TSA was 
required to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, just like 
most other Federal agencies. We are introducing the ``Rights for 
Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016,'' because we believe that 
the time has come for TSA's personnel and labor management systems to 
be brought into compliance with the longstanding Federal systems and 
protections afforded to Federal workers under Title 5.
  TSA has had its fair share of challenges, particularly with respect 
to its personnel services. Repeatedly, there have been instances where 
TSA's personnel system at attracting, retaining, and developing talent 
has fallen short. And with respect to labor management, the promise of 
the 2011 determination by then-TSA Administrator John Pistole has not 
lived up to its promise, insofar as the labor union that was elected as 
the exclusive representative for the Transportation Security Officer 
workforce can only bargain and represent workers in limited cases and 
issues in dispute that may be raised to a neutral third party are 
limited.
  The fight for basic worker protections for Transportation Security 
Officers has been a long one. These dedicated individuals serve 
honorably on the front lines, protecting us from those who want to do 
us harm through our aviation sector. Back in 2007, we came close to 
ensuring that Transportation Security Officers would be put under Title 
5 but a veto threat from then-President Bush all but closed the door to 
getting the fix. When President Obama took office, the TSA workforce 
and many of us in Congress were hopeful that under new leadership, 
workers would get the rights and protections that had been denied to 
them for years. However, now that we have seen successive TSA 
Administrators fail to address longstanding unsettled workforce issues, 
it is imperative that Congress come together and enact legislation that 
will grant the workforce rights and benefits that they deserve.
  I hope that other Members will join myself and Representative Lowey 
and support this important legislation.

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