WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee hearing today on John Pistole, the nominee to lead the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Ranking Member Kay Bailey
Hutchison (R-Texas) said she had serious concerns with collective bargaining
for TSA security screeners. Senator Hutchison said it was critical for the
agency to have a flexible workforce that can react quickly to emerging threats.
“The TSA Administrator must be able to assure not only the
security of all modes of transportation, but also the economic viability of the
country’s transportation system and the free flow of commerce,” said Senator
Hutchison. “Previous TSA Administrators
have maintained that allowing screeners to collectively bargain would
negatively impact the agency’s fundamental security mission. There is a real
need for TSA to have a flexible workforce which can react quickly to emerging
threats.”
Hutchison emphasized the importance of maintaining secure
transportation systems to allow for the free flow of goods and travelers.
“We place great trust in TSA, much like the FBI, to do its
job effectively and efficiently,” said Senator Hutchison. “However, in
order to do the job properly, TSA will need long-term leadership with a clear,
yet flexible, strategy to identify and act on current and future threats.
Unfortunately, much like our transportation systems, our threats are vast and
reach across our country and the world. While balancing those two
conflicting systems will be tremendously difficult, it is paramount.”
Hutchison also contrasted the need for leadership and the
challenges of heading the TSA, compared to the FBI.
“Next month, the FBI will celebrate its 102nd
anniversary. By contrast, TSA is in only its ninth year of
existence. But, since 9/11, the FBI has had to reinvent itself as a more
prevention-oriented, intelligence-driven agency. I think the President
made the right choice this time, and if confirmed, I am hopeful Mr. Pistole’s
experience managing change at the FBI would inform his leadership decisions and
strategy at the TSA.”
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You can view Senator Hutchison’s opening statement here.
You can view Senator Hutchison’s questions on collective
bargaining here.