Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama have launched a legislative effort to dismantle the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and shift airport security to private enterprises under federal oversight.
The Abolish the TSA Act proposes to phase out the agency over a three-year period, with private security firms stepping in under a newly established Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the Federal Aviation Administration.
The senators assert that the TSA, initially established post-9/11, has evolved into an overbearing and inefficient bureaucracy. “The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives,” commented Lee.
Tuberville concurs, labeling the TSA a “bureaucratic mess” that hampers American freedoms. He cited misuse of taxpayer funds, inefficiencies, and frustrating security experiences as major issues.
A Phase-Out Plan
Under the proposed bill, the Department of Homeland Security would be tasked with delivering a restructuring plan to Congress within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. This strategy would involve launching a new oversight office, delegating security roles to private companies, and redirecting TSA’s non-aviation roles to other departments.
In a one-pager on the bill, the senators highlight the success of European airports — where over 80% have privatized security screening — and the performance of U.S. airports like San Francisco International.
A handful of U.S. airports use private security contractors under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program. These include San Francisco, Orlando Sanford in Florida, and Kansas City, Missouri.
The Senators also noted a 2015 investigation where 95% of mock threats evaded detection by the TSA.
This proposal comes just weeks after the Department of Homeland Security ended collective bargaining for over 50,000 Transportation Security officers. The American Federation of Government Employees – which represents these workers – is now suing the agency.
