Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I want to recognize the hard work of Chairman Bennie Thompson on the underlying bill, and the entire Homeland Security Committee.

My district, Maryland's Fourth Congressional District, has the fifth largest number of Federal employees in the country. These public servants go to work every day to make the country safer and a better place to live for our families.

For years, transportation security officers have not had basic workplace protections, such as collective bargaining rights, whistleblower protections, and paid leave. Since 2011, transportation security officers, who make up 70 percent of TSA's workforce, have had labor union representation but, because of limitations imposed by TSA, have been denied full collective bargaining rights.

TSOs were most severely impacted during the last government shutdown. During the shutdown, more than 50,000 TSA officers were deemed essential Federal employees, meaning they had to work without pay. Due to financial strain, officers called out in record numbers, which led to low morale and high turnover among its workforce.

Staffing shortages prompted officials to consolidate checkpoints, creating long lines at some of the country's busiest airports, including Miami, Atlanta, and in my backyard at BWI Thurgood Marshall and Reagan National Airport, where my constituents felt the most strain.

Federal workers who protect our country should not have to work in such strenuous conditions. Transportation security officers are vital safeguards for our Nation's transportation system. They should be afforded the same rights and benefits as other Federal employees.

My amendment reaffirms the importance of TSA's workforce and recognizes that TSOs should be provided the same protections and benefits as other Federal employees under title V.

In addition to collective bargaining rights, the transition to title V would increase salaries for most TSA employees and provide opportunities for regular pay raises for those meeting performance standards.

TSA employees and TSOs are essential to our national security and safety. It is time we treat them with the respect they deserve.

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), my friend and chairman of the committee.

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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