Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - June 7, 2012 Meeting of House Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee

Here's some coverage of today's meeting of the House Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee:

Bloomberg News:
Americans ‘Disgusted’ With Too-Big TSA, Agency Chief Told
June 7, 2012 (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-07/americans-disgusted-with-overstaffed-tsa-house-chairman-says)

A short quote:

[Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama and chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee] said he was flooded with complaints from travelers at town-hall meetings and at a visit to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on June 4. TSA may have 30 percent to 40 percent too many people, he said.

“TSA is too far behind the curve to see what’s coming next,” Rogers told TSA Administrator John Pistole. “You are too bogged down in managing an oversized workforce to mitigate the next potential threat.”

A good article from Politico:

Politico:
Lawmakers lining up for a shot at TSA
By JESSICA MEYERS and BURGESS EVERETT
6/7/12 12:58 PM EDT
Updated: 6/7/12 3:49 PM EDT (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77167.html)

A short quote:

Everybody wants a piece. And why not? It’s great political leverage.

For Republicans, it’s a chance to remind voters they stand for individual liberties. And Democrats get to say they hate big government, too.

In the end, attacking TSA offers a welcome diversion for a Congress that appears stuck on everything else.


That last sentence is, IMHO, a perfect one-line description of the point of the hearing.

TSA is asking for more money (for what, exactly? to expand further beyond their mission while ignoring their core responsibilities). Some members of Congress will kick back by suggesting that if TSA gets rid of the unnecessary bloat and fat, there will be no need for an increase in budget.

It's all political posturing, in the end TSA will get everything they ask for and probably more, and after mid-November, we won't hear a peep about TSA from Congress for at least another 18 months.

You can listen/watch here:
http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearingtsas-efforts-fix-its-poor-customer-service-reputation-and-become-leaner

Or read a transcript of the opening statement:
http://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/06-07-12%20Rogers%20Open.pdf

And a transcript of the testimony:
http://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/Testimony-Pistole.pdf

A short quote:

[Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama and chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee] said he was flooded with complaints from travelers at town-hall meetings and at a visit to Chicago O’Hare International Airport on June 4. TSA may have 30 percent to 40 percent too many people, he said.
Followed by this quote (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-07/americans-disgusted-with-overstaffed-tsa-house-chairman-says):
"[Pistole] said he disagreed with Rogers’s assertion that the TSA is 30 percent to 40 percent overstaffed. "

I never thought the day would come.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
:eek: I agree with Pistole. :eek:
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

TSA is NOT 30 - 40 percent overstaffed!

That's because TSA is 100% overstaffed.
(I understand that Pistole may not agree with me.)

So they're all taking a shot at TSA. BFD.

They need to put action where their mouths are and do something about it instead of pontificating.

So they're all taking a shot at TSA. BFD.

They need to put action where their mouths are and do something about it instead of pontificating.

No doubt they'll vote themselves immune to the screening process and then move on from there. Maybe somebody will give an angry speech, too.

Mike

No doubt they'll vote themselves immune to the screening process and then move on from there. Maybe somebody will give an angry speech, too.

Mike

Nah.

I'm sure they're pining for private military jet access and avoid the commercial airport altogether. Out of sight, out of mind, ya know.

"Pistole has done a difficult job well, Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman said in an interview with Bloomberg Government today. He’s committed to homeland security and has made improvements to the agency, Lieberman said.

“He’s continued to reexamine the way they’ve done business and tried to change it,” Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, said. “I hope people don’t beat up on him unfairly.”

Seriously???? Can (both) of their asses.

So they're all taking a shot at TSA. BFD.

They need to put action where their mouths are and do something about it instead of pontificating.No action is possible while the New York thug, Peter King, is in charge.