MILFORD - During a visit to Cirtronics Corporation on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte discussed the highlights of the Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act, which she hopes will soon be passed into law.

"We need a plan," Ayotte told the 150 employees at Cirtronics, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services to the medical, communications and industrial markets.

Her proposal would create a five-year strategic plan for the nation's transportation security needs, explained Ayotte. The senator said she hopes to improve acquisition policy at the Transportation Security Administration to ensure that tax dollars are used efficiently. If the bill becomes law it would also ensure the safety of the traveling public and provide guidance for businesses like Cirtronics, the senator said.

"I think we can get it done," said Ayotte.

Gerardine Ferlins, president and CEO of Cirtronics, said she appreciates Ayotte's sponsorship of the legislation, maintaining implementation of better practices will improve transparency for the private sector and Congress.

One of Cirtronics' customers, Morpho Detection, is a global supplier of explosives-, narcotics- and threat-detection systems to government, military, air and ground transportation organizations.

"As a manufacturer of trace-detection equipment, this will enable us to offer continued employment in New Hampshire," Ferlins said of Ayotte's proposal.

Cirtronics is one of 11,000 employee-owned businesses in the country. While such companies represent just a fraction of all businesses nationally, they are what will create wealth in America, said Ferlins.

Although it may have been a difficult few years, she praised the employees for sticking with the company, and thanked Ayotte for being an advocate for Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

"I am so impressed by your work ethic," Ayotte told the workers. "You all own this company and you have a stake in the outcome."

The Department of Labor has proposed rules that, according to Ayotte, would undermine ESOP if implemented. She has introduced legislation to shield ESOP from harmful effects of the rules.

"The legislation has been filed, and I am building support for it," said Ayotte, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security.

Ayotte said she would like to see more employee-owned companies develop, saying it is a great option for select businesses throughout the country.

"To have manufacturing like this in New Hampshire is so important," she added.