A Congressional subcommittee today passed East Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers’ (R-Saks) bill to substantially reform the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA is known to most Americans as the Federal agency tasked with passenger screening at airports, but the agency also oversees security efforts across all transportation modes including rail, trucks, aviation and pipelines.

Rogers said, “This is the first step to bringing fundamental reform to TSA. As all traveling Americans know, TSA is in dire need of reform and today we start that effort.”

The bill includes provisions to require risk-based passenger screening that puts parents in charge of any pat down of their children. It also holds TSA screeners accountable for their failures. If passed into law, the bill also would eliminate and streamline regulations to help save and create private sector jobs, and help save millions in taxpayer dollars by requiring efficiencies and federal workforce reductions.

Rogers said he is particularly pleased the bill includes the language of his MODERN Credentialing Act to help streamline some regulations for many transportation carriers.

“Especially in this tough economy, the federal government should not get in the way of private sector jobs by issuing burdensome regulations. I am pleased this bill helps advance the debate over clearing out unnecessary hurdles imposed by TSA while continuing to help secure the movement of goods and commerce, as well as the traveling public,” Rogers added.

Rogers has been a member of the Homeland Security Committee since 2005 and is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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