Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel expressed his full support for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization Act of 2009, (H.R. 2200) which passed the full House today by a vote of 397 to 25. In addition, he called for his House colleagues to adopt his legislation, the Securing our Borders and our Data Act, (HR 239) which codifies how border security agents may search or seize electronic devices, such as laptops.

“As a representative of the New York Metropolitan area, I consider aviation security to be one of my highest priorities. As we debate how to properly fund our nation’s airport and surface transportation protection, I believe our security should not come at the cost of our civil rights. The TSA Authorization is vital step towards those goals, but it is the beginning of the conversation, not the end. There are many other issues associated with other agencies, such as Customs and Border Control, which deserve attention and which relate to my legislation,” said Rep. Engel.

Under current law, border agents can search, or even seize, personal laptops, cameras, and any other electronic device without cause. Travelers must hand over these devices, with all of their sensitive, personal data on them, whenever a border agent requires it. “Some of this data could be irreplaceable and to have it confiscated without cause is something which greatly concerns me,” added Rep. Engel. “My legislation, the Securing our Borders and our Data Act, would require a border agent to have a reasonable suspicion that a traveler is or about to be involved in a criminal activity in order to have authorization to search electronic data. To copy or seize data, the agent must have probable cause.”

The 11-term Congressman added, “Too often, we hear of stories where travelers’ laptops are seized without cause, with little recourse of ever getting the device back. We have heard of agents searching through private e-mails and looking through all the websites visited. For hard-working, law-abiding citizens, these intrusions are unacceptable and need to be stopped. I have urged my colleagues to use the TSA Authorization as a springboard to enact smarter security measures, such as the Securing our Borders and Data Act, to not only protect our citizens’ safety, but also to protect their privacy.”

Important aspects of the TSA Authorization include:

* Triples the funding for surface transportation security from the FY 2009 funding level.
* Authorizes an additional 200 surface transportation security inspectors for FY 2010 and an additional 100 inspectors for FY 2011.
* Requires assessments of the effectiveness of technologies to improve tunnel and rail security.
* Directs TSA to establish a system for verifying that all air cargo on inbound foreign passenger flights is properly screened.
* Directs TSA to develop a strategic, risk-based plan to enhance security of airport perimeter access controls.
* Creates a $10 million grant program for improving security measures at general aviation airports based on recommendations from the working group.