Thompson, Watson Coleman Inquire on Air Marshal Intelligence Program
Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Watson Coleman Inquire on Air Marshal Intelligence Program
July 31, 2018 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, sent a letter to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding news articles on the Federal Air Marshal Service and its practices and operations. In the letter, the Members request more information on the authorities and rules followed for the collection of intelligence. Reps. Thompson and Watson Coleman also inquire on the privacy, due process, and non-discrimination protections followed by the agency.
In the letter, the Members write:
"…[W]e must ensure TSA's programs and policies provide appropriate privacy and due process protections to travelers, are applied without discrimination, are grounded in actionable intelligence, and exist within TSA's legal authorities. We are also concerned that some Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) apparently disagree with their assigned missions."
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Media contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978