SHAHEEN APPROVES FUNDING REQUEST TO ALLEVIATE AIRPORT SECURITY WAIT TIMES
**As lead Democrat on DHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen’s actions today will allow TSA to hire additional security screeners to prepare for summer travel surge**
(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the leading Democrat on the Senate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, has approved a DHS request by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to shift $34 million in funding in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) budget. These funds will allow the TSA to increase the number of security screeners at U.S airports and reduce wait times at security checkpoints in advance of the summer travel surge.
“Travelers need relief,” said Shaheen. “Missed flights and wait times of an hour or more are wearing on customers and the approaching surge in summer travel threatens to make matters even worse. The security of the traveling public is of utmost importance and I welcome the TSA’s request to shift more resources to improve safety and reduce unacceptably long security lines. I approved the request today so that this work can begin immediately.”
The $34 million dollars will enable TSA to accelerate the hiring and training of 768 Transportation Security Officers, as well as provide funding for additional overtime for current officers.
