WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.-14), Acting Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in releasing the following statement on U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem ending the collective bargaining agreement with tens of thousands of frontline employees at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

“Transportation Security Officers keep Americans safe. They often work long hours and in difficult conditions to stop threats and protect air travel. Secretary Noem’s decision to abandon them and end the collective bargaining agreement between TSA and its workers is yet another slap in the face by the Trump Administration to working men and women. This agreement improved retention at TSA, keeping more dangerous criminals, drugs, and weapons off our planes. Now, after firing critical employees at the Federal Aviation Administration, the Trump Administration is weakening TSA’s airport security screening too.

“In recent years, we led the effort to improve transportation security by providing TSA with the resources to ensure stability and experience in these positions. Today’s news undermines that progress. The Department’s statement does not defend its decision with facts, but with complaints about union dues and workers using hard earned benefits like family and medical leave. Rather than spend her time policing how hard-working DHS employees choose to spend their money, Secretary Noem should focus on keeping our national transportation network secure.”

###