The Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) funding for aviation security has totaled about $26 billion since FY 2004. This testimony focuses on TSA¿s efforts to secure the commercial aviation system through passenger screening, air cargo, and watch-list matching programs, and challenges remaining in these areas. This testimony also addresses TSA¿s progress in developing the Secure Flight program, based on work conducted from Aug. 2007 to Jan. 2008. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

Since its inception, the Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) has focused much of its efforts on aviation security, and has developed and implemented a variety of programs and procedures to secure commercial aviation. More recently, TSA has taken actions to secure the nation's surface transportation modes. TSA funding for aviation security has totaled about $26 billion since FY 2004, and for surface transportation security activities, about $175 million since FY 2005. This testimony focuses on TSA¿s efforts to secure the commercial aviation system -- through passenger screening, air cargo, and watch-list matching programs -- and the nation's surface transportation modes. It also addresses challenges remaining in these areas. Ill.

The Transport. Security Admin¿s. (TSA) mission is to protect the nation¿s transport. network. Since its inception in 2001, TSA has developed and implemented a variety of programs and procedures to secure commercial aviation and surface modes of transport. Other DHS components, fed. agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector also play a role in transport. security. Previous reports have examined: (1) the progress TSA and other DHS components have made in securing the nation¿s aviation and surface transport. systems, and the challenges that remain; and (2) crosscutting issues that have impeded TSA¿s efforts in strengthening security. This testimony concerns the security of the nation¿s aviation and surface transport. systems.

The response of the U.S. federal government to the events of September 11, 2001 has reflected the challenge of striking a balance between implementing security measures to deter terrorist attacks while at the same time limiting disruption to air commerce. Airport and Aviation Security: U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism is a co

Since its inception in Nov. 2001, the Transportation Security Admin. (TSA) has focused much of its efforts on aviation security, and has developed and implemented a variety of programs and procedures to secure the commercial aviation system. TSA funding for aviation security has totaled about $26 billion since FY 2004. This Congressional testimony focuses on TSA¿s efforts to secure the commercial aviation system through passenger screening, strengthening air cargo security, and watch-list matching programs, as well as challenges that remain. It also addresses crosscutting issues that have impeded TSA¿s efforts in strengthening security. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.