Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) recently sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials expressing concern over a plan to divert personnel to the nation’s southern border.
The TSA plans to divert 40 air marshals to the southern border to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Eventually, that number will increase to 175 marshals. The TSA also is considering repurposing $232 million in TSA funds and diverting 40 transportation security officers who currently are conducting screenings at airports.
The senators said this diversion could impact TSA’s mission to protect transportation systems.
“We request that you meet with us to discuss the decision-making involved in this new and unexpected use of TSA resources and any further deployment of TSA personnel.” the letter said. “We also ask that you provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with a risk assessment and analysis of the impact to TSA operations and strategy, as well as a summary of outreach to and coordination with transportation stakeholders, including airports and surface transportation facilities.”
The letter was sent to TSA Administrator David Pekoske and Acting Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell.
Wicker is chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Cantwell is the ranking member.