U.S. Travel Lauds House For Airport Security Rights Bill

The U.S. Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association) praised the House of Representatives for passing HR. 559, the FAST Redress Act. The House approved the FAST Redress Act  413 – 3. The bill improves the current redress process for travelers who are wrongly identified as a threat when screened against a terrorist watchlist or database used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

"It's good to see Congress standing up for the traveler," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "This reform is long overdue. Giving travelers redress for misidentification and wrongful delay will ultimately lead to a safer, more secure and more efficient air travel system."

Under the bill, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would develop a "comprehensive cleared list" of misidentified travelers that would be shared across government agencies in order to ensure proper identification of individuals who were previously misidentified. The bill further requires the DHS to establish an Office of Appeals and Redress to implement this enhanced clearance process.

"America's travel community is grateful to Representative Yvette Clark, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, ranking Committee member Peter King and Representative Ed Perlmutter for their leadership in championing this issue. Our hope is that quick Senate action will allow traveler redress legislation to be enacted within President Obama's first one hundred days in office," said Dow.

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