House Passes Watson Coleman Bill Authorizing TSA Support Force that Facilitated TSA Sandy Recovery Operations
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TSA National Deployment Force Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee which formally authorizes the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) National Deployment Force (NDF), ensuring the continued work of the NDF and allowing for congressional oversight of its activities.
TSA’s NDF program is a volunteer force of Transportation Security Officers deployed nationwide to wherever challenges, planned events, emergencies or other gaps in staffing might threaten TSA’s ability to carry out its homeland security mission.
“TSA deploys the NDF to address hiring difficulties, seasonal demands, severe weather conditions, and periods of relief and recovery following a natural disaster or other major incident…In particular, the NDF was critical to ensuring TSA could continue operating fully in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy after that storm devastated my region of the country,” Watson Coleman said on the House Floor. “My bill authorizes the NDF to ensure its work continues and directs TSA to report to Congress on the NDF’s activities to ensure proper oversight.”
To watch floor debate and passage of the TSA National Deployment Force Act, click here.