WASHINGTON – Tuesday, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk called on Transportation Security Administration Administrator Peter Neffenger to resign if the hours-long wait times at airports like Chicago O’Hare and Midway are not resolved for travelers by Memorial Day.
Reports have shown passengers waiting in security screening lines for over three hours, causing countless travelers to miss flights and become stranded at the airport. Senator Kirk sent a letter to Administration Neffenger requesting details on how the recently approved $34 million in funding for TSA will be used to hire more screening personnel and address the current delays at checkpoints.
“The flying public is experiencing a high security risk and economic burden from unnecessary wait times and missed flights due to insufficient staffing at TSA. Congress just approved $34 million for TSA to focus funding where it is needed most – at our nation’s busiest airports like O’Hare," Kirk said in a statement released.
"TSA should also immediately deploy bomb-sniffing dog teams to advance hours long lines at Midway. If travelers do not have relief by Memorial Day, TSA Administration Neffenger must resign and be replaced with a leader who can provide fast and secure screening.”
