Post by Administrator on Jul 30, 2003 13:32:39 GMT -5
The Transportation Security Administration wants to reduce funding for air marshals even as the government is warning about the possibility al-Qaida may try more suicide hijackings.
The TSA is seeking approval from Congress to cut $104 million from the air marshal program to help offset a $900 million budget shortfall. It's unclear how many of the estimated several thousand air marshal jobs would be affected.
"When we are faced with more priorities than we have funding to support, we have to go through a process of trying to address the most urgent needs," TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said.
News of the air marshal program budget cutback comes as the Department of Homeland Security is warning of the possibility of hijackings and increasing screening of certain overseas passengers.
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The TSA is seeking approval from Congress to cut $104 million from the air marshal program to help offset a $900 million budget shortfall. It's unclear how many of the estimated several thousand air marshal jobs would be affected.
"When we are faced with more priorities than we have funding to support, we have to go through a process of trying to address the most urgent needs," TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said.
News of the air marshal program budget cutback comes as the Department of Homeland Security is warning of the possibility of hijackings and increasing screening of certain overseas passengers.
Link