Senator argues for airlines to handle passenger screenings.
Utah Senator Mike Lee has reiterated his demand to dismantle the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), proposing that airlines assume responsibility for passenger screenings. The Republican lawmaker took to social media to express frustration with current procedures, questioning, “Tired of being groped every time you travel?”
Established in November 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the TSA operates under the US Department of Homeland Security. Lee, however, contends that federal involvement in airport security is unnecessary and inefficient. “Abolish TSA,” he declared in one post. “Let airlines do their own screening.”
The senator’s criticism centres on the agency’s pat-down protocols, which he describes as invasive. TSA guidelines permit staff to conduct thorough physical inspections, including sensitive body areas, if security alarms are triggered. Lee has labelled these measures “needlessly slow” and disrespectful to travellers.
This is not the first time Lee has targeted the TSA. In March 2023, he asserted that privatising security checks would improve efficiency and constitutional adherence. “Airlines can and will secure their own planes better than TSA,” he argued, claiming the move would reduce intrusive searches.
Despite his persistent calls, Lee has yet to introduce formal legislation to disband the agency. It remains unclear whether such a proposal would gain traction in Congress.
Critics of Lee’s stance highlight potential risks in transferring security duties to private entities. They argue that standardised federal oversight ensures consistency across airports, whereas airline-led systems might prioritise cost-cutting over safety. For instance, prior experiments with private screening contractors, permitted under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Programme, have faced mixed reviews. Some audits suggest comparable efficiency, while others cite vulnerabilities.
Opponents also question whether airlines possess the expertise or resources to manage evolving security threats, such as cyberattacks or advanced weapon detection. The TSA’s role in coordinating intelligence and implementing nationwide protocols is seen by many as irreplaceable in safeguarding air travel.
The debate resurfaces longstanding tensions between government regulation and private enterprise. While Lee frames the issue as a matter of liberty and efficiency, opponents emphasise the TSA’s role in maintaining national security standards post-9/11. With air travel demand soaring, the discussion underscores broader questions about balancing passenger rights with public safety.