Chuck: Overhaul the TSA

As millions of travelers are expected to take to the skies for the holidays in the coming weeks, Sen. Charles Schumer called for a “topto-bottom” review of the Transportation Security Administration on Sunday, following a study that uncovered huge lapses in the federal agency’s airport screening procedures.

“In an era of lone-wolf terrorists, the continued TSA security failures at airports across the country are highly concerning and a major threat we must neutralize,” the Senate minority leader said.

“In light of the recent test-result reports, TSA should move immediately to address all holes, shortfalls and gaps in training procedures, technology, and the entire airport security process.”

A report from the Office of the Inspector General revealed last week that undercover officers were able to get through airport security checkpoints with fake knives, guns and explosives more than 70 percent of the time.

In light of that report, Schumer (D-NY) urged the Department of Homeland Security to immediately “conduct a top-to-bottom review of the effectiveness of the TSA’s em- ployee-training procedures, as well the need for upgraded detection technology.”

At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, its chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul (RTexas), said the inspector general had noted “vulnerabilities in covert testing” in the TSA’s security screening at airports.

McCaul called the inspector general’s report “disturbing.”

Schumer said, “This revelation is deeply alarming, especially during a time in which lone-wolf terrorist threats are at an all-time high.”