Legislators enact new steps to help alleviate long TSA lines

A coalition of Democratic lawmakers joined Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials on Monday in releasing new steps to help address growing security line delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The coalition included U.S. Sens. Robert Melendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with U.S. Reps. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), and Albio Sires (D-NJ).

As security lines continue to grow at Newark International, lawmakers have urged TSA to allocate additional resources to help alleviate the long lines that have been affecting passengers. In response, TSA officials deployed 25 agents this past weekend and said that they intend to hire 95 new agents by June.

Additionally, lawmakers said that TSA is authorizing 11 passenger screening canine teams and will be working with United Airlines to open a PreCheck enrollment center in Terminal C.

“The growing security line delays at Newark Liberty International Airport are not only causing significant disruptions to travel plans for an increasing number of passengers, they are also putting more strain on already overworked transportation security officers,” Payne, Jr., said. “The measures announced today will help alleviate long lines and wait times at the airport while still maintaining the strong security standards that are necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public. I am proud to partner with my colleagues Senators Menendez and Booker and Congressman Sires on this issue and look forward to continuing our focus on security line delays.”

Of the 95 new agents scheduled to begin work in June, 23 are already receiving training at the national training center and could be deployed in the near future.