WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) joined Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) in sending a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), requesting a classified briefing and relevant documents related to the Biden-Harris administration’s inclusion of Tulsi Gabbard, the current director of national intelligence, in TSA’s Quiet Skies program, as well as its reported misuse of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS). 
  
The joint letter cites recent disclosures indicating TSA may have engaged in screening of individuals based on political beliefs or other non-security-related factors. Such revelations raise the alarming possibility that Federal Air Marshals may have been directed to surveil U.S. citizens despite posing no credible or articulable threat to aviation security. The letter further emphasizes the need for transparency surrounding TSA’s intelligence-based justifications for surveillance missions, especially those that may involve subjective criteria or ideological targeting. Read the full letter here and highlights below. 
 
In a letter addressed to Acting Administrator Adam Stahl, the Chairmen wrote, “We write today to reiterate longstanding congressional oversight requests regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Quiet Skies program and the Federal Air Marshal Service’s (FAMS) surveillance of high-risk travelers and flights, including the intelligence-based justifications for Special Mission Coverage and other FAMS mission assignments.”
 
The Chairmen continued, “Recent disclosures suggest that TSA, under the Biden administration, may have engaged in unwarranted screening of individuals based on political beliefs, travel patterns, or other non-security-related factors. This is a deeply troubling prospect that demands immediate and unequivocal clarification. Given the gravity of these concerns and TSA’s delay in responding to previous inquiries, the House Committee on Homeland Security now formally joins this oversight effort to ensure TSA provides the requested information in a timely manner. The American people deserve to know that the policies governing their security are applied fairly, lawfully, and without political or ideological bias.”
 
The Chairmen concluded, “We understand that transitioning leadership and managing national security priorities are significant undertakings, and we appreciate the work TSA does to keep Americans safe. However, congressional oversight is not optional. It is a fundamental part of ensuring that security measures are properly implemented without infringing on civil liberties. We are confident that under your leadership, TSA will engage in constructive dialogue and provide the requested information. To that end, we reiterate HSGAC’s previous requests and ask that TSA submit a complete response. Additionally, given the sensitive nature of this matter, we request that TSA provide a classified briefing to both Committees. This briefing should include a comprehensive overview of the Quiet Skies Program, FAMS Special Mission Coverage, and any related policies governing the identification and monitoring of certain high-risk travelers.” 
 

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