Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) is asking transportation organizations for their feedback on President Donald J. Trump’s 2021 budget, as well as recently passed stimulus bills and other legislation impacting the Transportation Security Administration’s operations and programs.
Wicker, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent a letter to the American Association of Airport Executives, Airlines for America, U.S. Travel Association, Airports Council International-North America, Security Manufacturers Coalition, and the Association of American Railroads asking for their input on how the budget would impact the TSA in their view.
“The FY 2021 President’s budget includes a request of $8.24 billion for TSA. The request focuses on preserving frontline operations, transitioning to new technologies, maintaining current screening equipment, consolidating TSA headquarters, and creating efficiencies to optimize limited resources. The request also seeks funding for 47,596 Transportation Security Officers,” the letter said.
The President’s budget was provided to Congress prior to the current COVID-19 crisis, the letter said, and could change due to new priorities arising from the economic difficulties arising out of stay-at-home orders necessary to stem the spread of COVID-19 across the country.
According to Wicker’s letter, TSA reported that on April 29, 119,629 passengers went through TSA checkpoints at airports across the country, compared to 2,256,442 passengers for the same time a year ago – a 95 percent decline.
In the railroad industry, the letter said, Amtrak has seen a 96 percent decline in system-wide customer trips and a 94 percent year-over-year decline in daily bookings. Loss of revenue for the railroads could mean a loss of jobs, which could disrupt the supply chain and public transportation, the letter said.
Wicker also asked the organizations to weigh-in on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed on March 27 of this year. The $2.2 trillion stimulus act provided $100 million for TSA to provide janitorial services at checkpoints and other airport common areas to mitigate the spread of the virus.