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Committee adopts substitute asking Congress to study alternatives to TSA airport security
Summary
The House Transportation Committee approved a substitute to House Concurrent Resolution 71 asking the U.S. Congress to study options for shifting or changing Transportation Security Administration responsibilities, including models that would involve training airline personnel for some duties.
The House Transportation Committee on Monday adopted a substitute to House Concurrent Resolution 71 asking the U.S. Congress to study alternatives to the current Transportation Security Administration model and to explore whether some airport‑security duties could be handled by trained airline personnel or other models.
Representative Crews, chair of the House Transportation Committee, introduced the resolution’s purpose, drawing on personal examples of lengthy security lines and the performance of screening programs. "I think we've kinda overdone it in some areas, and I would like the U.S. Congress to kinda look into this matter," Representative Crews said, urging a study of alternatives to the TSA’s current organization.
Committee staff explained that the substitute softens the original language, framing the measure as a study request rather than a directive. Miss Williams, committee staff, summarized the substitute as asking Congress to "explore options for transitioning airport security responsibilities from the TSA to alternative models such as delegating duties to train airline personnel" and said the substitute text is available in the committee folder.
Representative Walters voiced concerns about shifting responsibility from a federal agency to airlines, citing pay and training considerations for gate agents. "I'm concerned about this possible shift of responsibility," Walters said, noting that many gate employees at non‑international airports "make minimum wage" and questioning whether airlines could shoulder the added duties.
Representative Schermerhorn moved to adopt the substitute; with no objections the committee approved the substitute text. Representative Schermerhorn then moved that HCR 71 be reported via the substitute; the committee recorded no objections and the measure was reported to the next stage via the substitute text. A witness card registered in opposition listed Scott Grama, identified as an airport manager, as an information/oppose card.
The resolution asks Congress to study alternatives and does not itself change law or transfer responsibilities. It requests only that lawmakers consider whether alternative models could preserve security while improving passenger convenience.
