Lautenberg Statement on TSA Disciplinary Action at Newark Airport

Press Release

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today commented on disciplinary action taken by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) following the discovery of TSA workers sleeping on the job. The discovery resulted from an ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General investigation that originated from a request Lautenberg made last year for a review of security problems at Newark-Liberty airport.

"TSA is taking tough but necessary corrective action to fix a disturbing pattern of misconduct that threatens security at Newark Airport," stated Lautenberg, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee. "The ongoing federal investigation continues to expose serious problems and TSA needs to continue using the results to make changes and finally improve security operations at the airport."

Following a spate of security breaches at Newark Liberty Airport in January and February of 2011, Lautenberg called on DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner to conduct an investigation into the security breaches at Newark Airport. The DHS Inspector General then began a detailed investigation.

Lautenberg, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Aviation Subcommittee on the Commerce Committee, has been working to tighten security at Newark Airport. Following a majorbreach in January 2010 that revealed security gaps at the airport, Lautenberg inserted legislation into the Homeland Security Appropriations bill to improve exit lane security and increase penalties for intentionally breaching security. The measure was signed into law in December.

Source