MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Congresswoman Amata Congratulates Fatiatamai Puapa’e Folau on Completion of APAICS Congressional Fellowship

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata congratulates Fatiatamai “Ma’i” Puapa’e Folau of Tafuna, American Samoa, on completing the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Congressional Fellowship, and now serving as a Legislative Correspondent in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fatiatamai “Ma’i” Puapa’e Folau of Tafuna, American Samoa,

The daughter of Tapumanaia Elisaia Folau and Puapa’e Folau of Toamua, Upolu, Folau is fluent in English and Samoan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was selected as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

“Congratulations to Fatiatamai on this outstanding achievement,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Her dedication to public service and academic excellence reflects the remarkable talent of American Samoa. We are proud to see another Samoan serving with distinction on Capitol Hill and wish her continued success.”

APAICS is a nationally recognized, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that develops Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders through congressional fellowships and leadership programs.

Folau completed the prestigious fellowship as the only Pacific Islander in her cohort. She now serves in the office of Representative Burgess Owens (Utah’s 4th Congressional District), where she manages legislative correspondence, supports constituent engagement, works on aviation policy, and leads a prayer group on Capitol Hill.

“It is an honor to serve in Congress and represent my community through public service,” said Folau. “I hope my journey encourages more young people from American Samoa to pursue opportunities in public service and leadership.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department released their official investigation concluding that the January 7, 2025 Eaton Fire was caused by out-of-service equipment managed by Southern California Edison. 

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), who has led efforts in Congress to secure federal disaster assistance, tax relief, and long-term recovery resources for Eaton Fire survivors, released the following statement:
 

“Today’s findings from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirm that out-of-service equipment managed by Southern California Edison sparked the Eaton Fire. This official determination is an important step toward accountability and justice for the survivors, their families, and our communities who have endured unimaginable loss over the past nineteen months. Southern California Edison must take every step necessary to help Altadena and Pasadena rebuild, and to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. 

While today’s findings bring long-awaited clarity, they do not change the reality facing thousands of families who are still struggling to rebuild. Nineteen months later, two out of every three Eaton and Palisades survivors still have not returned home. That is why it is so important that President Trump and congressional Republicans immediately fulfill Governor Newsom’s disaster supplemental funding request in full—and with no strings attached— so survivors can finally complete the long road to recovery. The Senate must also immediately pass the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act so survivors are not taxed on the settlements they receive from Southern California Edison as they rebuild their homes and lives.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Senator Maggie Hassan (NH) and Angus King (ME), Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and  Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) in raising concerns around a new rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board that would weaken civil service protections and undermine workers’ rights at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). In their letter, the lawmakers note that the rule would threaten workforce recruitment and retention at the Shipyard—which already needs 700 workers annually to keep pace—and potentially harm U.S. naval readiness.

The lawmakers wrote, in part: “We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)’s proposed rule ‘Promoting Employee Accountability,’ Docket OPM-2025-0012 (RIN 3206-AO91). This proposed rule would weaken longstanding civil service protections that promote merit-based employment, due process and the recruitment and retention of skilled workers. Moreover, as Members of Congress who represent nearly eight thousand civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we are concerned about the proposed rule’s impact on workers essential to our national security.”

They continued: “As you are no doubt aware, the men and women who work at our public shipyards are critical members of our defense industrial base, without whom the ability to repair, retrofit and refuel our country’s submarines would be in jeopardy. In our states, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) has nearly eight thousand civilian employees, creating more than $1.5 billion in annual economic impact in surrounding communities. […] PNSY currently needs to hire over 700 workers annually to meet the Navy’s demand – which is an increase from 550 over the past two years. Further, policies that reduce workplace protections risk making federal service less attractive to qualified candidates. Due to civilian hiring quotas imposed by the Office of Personnel Management, PNSY has struggled to onboard workers and cannot risk additional delays or departures. If the Administration intends to retain this political litmus test at our public shipyards, the costs of unnecessarily losing more skilled workers through this proposed rule far outweigh any potential benefit.”

They concluded: “By stripping away the procedures that keep discipline fair for civilian employees doing the work of naval readiness and refusing to consider important factors, the proposed rule introduces costly unpredictability in the workforce and needlessly undermines readiness. We are concerned this will increase attrition in the critical and experienced workforce that keeps our submarine fleet ready, ultimately harming the shipyard’s ability to meet the Navy’s needs and threatening our national security. We, therefore, ask you to withdraw OPM and MSPB’s proposed rule, ‘Promoting Employee Accountability,’ and consider alternatives that preserve federal workers’ longstanding civil service protections.”

A full copy of the letter can be read HERE.

Since President Trump took office, Pappas has worked to protect civilian workers who play a critical role in maintaining U.S. national security. In February 2025, he joined workers from PNSY to discuss the impact of the administration’s job cuts and hiring freezes, which led the Shipyard to pause hiring. 

In March 2025, Pappas led his House colleagues in further sounding the alarm over the Trump administration’s hiring freeze and workforce cuts. Later that month, the U.S. Department of Defense exempted the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workforce from the civilian hiring freeze. 

In July the New Hampshire Congressional delegation also called on General Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to exempt critical safety roles, including firefighters and air traffic controllers, from its planned 10.7% reduction to federal civilians at the Air National Guard (ANG). More than half of the civilian employees at Pease Air National Guard Base are civilian emergency personnel and air traffic controllers, and the proposed cuts could devastate the important role Pease plays in supporting emergency services in the region, including at Portsmouth International Airport.

In August 2025, Pappas and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the bipartisan Protecting Public Naval Shipyards Act. This legislation would exempt the workforces of America’s four public shipyards from recent hiring freezes and mass layoffs. This bipartisan legislation is led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Angus King (I-ME). Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) is a cosponsor of the House bill. During the conference process for the FY 2026 NDAA, Pappas successfully called on the leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to include these provisions in their final bill text, which was signed into law on the evening of December 18, 2025.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) that the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) has been awarded two federal formula grants totaling $746,687 to strengthen services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Congresswoman Amata and Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix at IGIA 2025

The federal awards include $617,645 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Formula Grant Program and $129,042 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Formula Program. Both grants were awarded on August 3, 2026, and will support ongoing efforts to improve victim services and strengthen public safety throughout American Samoa.

“These are important federal resources that help provide protection, support, and hope for victims and survivors while strengthening coordination among our law enforcement and service providers,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix and everyone at the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for their continued work administering these programs and serving the people of American Samoa.”

The STOP Formula Grant Program supports partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service organizations to improve the response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding helps strengthen criminal justice strategies while increasing protection and services for victims.

The Sexual Assault Services Formula Program provides intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, as well as family members and others affected by victimization. The funding also supports rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to survivors.

“Thank you to the leadership at DOJ and OVW for supporting programs that strengthen victim services and public safety in American Samoa,” concluded Congresswoman Amata.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“Insurers should not charge consumers higher premiums simply because of their personal credit history, which could have been impacted by job loss, a surprise medical bill, predatory lending, or simply inaccurate information, rather than the actual risk associated with a home.”

Letter to USAA | Letter to State Farm | Letter to Progressive | Letter to Liberty Mutual | Letter to Farmers | Letter to Allstate

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, led 18 members of Congress in a set of letters to USAA, State Farm, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, and Allstate requesting information on the usage of credit-based insurance scores in homeowners insurance underwriting and pricing.

In the letters, the lawmakers underscored concerns that insurance companies are unfairly jacking up rates based on customer credit history:

“Property and casualty insurance products price the risk of loss due to damage to a property and its contents; and unlike debt, these products do not hinge on a customer’s ability to repay or carry the risk of defaulting on a loan. Despite this, recent reporting indicates that Americans with weaker credit history pay significantly more for homeowners insurance, all other characteristics of the policyholder and property held equal.”

“Insurers have cited increasing climate-related disasters – along with rising building and reinsurance costs – as the key sources behind rising homeowners insurance premiums. Yet recent research shows that credit scores impact homeowners insurance premiums as much, if not more than, disaster risk in many parts of the country,” continued the lawmakers.

“Insurers should not charge consumers higher premiums simply because of their personal credit history, which could have been impacted by job loss, a surprise medical bill, predatory lending, or simply inaccurate information, rather than an actual risk associated with a home,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers called on the insurance companies to provide information on how they use credit-based scoring when offering or pricing homeowners insurance policies, requesting responses from the companies by August 13.

The letters are cosigned by Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Tex.), Al Green (D-Tex.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Nikema Williams (D-Geo.), and SenatorsRichard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Mary.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Report calls for passage of their Freedom to Move Act, which invests $25 billion in public transit

Fare Free Transit Reduces Costs for Travelers and Boosts Transit Ridership

Report (PDF)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Future of Transportation Caucus, and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released a new report, Making Transit Free, Frequent, and Reliable: Massachusetts shows the need for federal investment in fare-free transit, detailing the need for increased federal investments in fare-free transit. Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley are lead sponsors of the Freedom to Move Act,which would provide $25 billion to communities to pilot fare free service and expand existing transit service.

“The data doesn’t lie and this report makes plain what we’ve long known: fare-free transit is essential to building connected communities, improving mobility, and making life more affordable for our families,” said Congresswoman Pressley, Co-Chair of the Future of Transportation Caucus. “Transit equity is an economic, racial, and climate justice issue, and it’s time we invest in public transit as the public good that it is. That’s why Congress must pass our Freedom to Move Act to continue to support fare-free transit across our state and nation.”

“From Worcester to Boston to the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts is showing the nation what is possible when transit goes fare-free,” said Senator Markey. “Our report shows that fare-free transit saves families money, increases ridership, and helps make transit easier and simpler for passengers. More transit riders can mean less congestion, cleaner air, and safer streets. This report provides a roadmap for bringing those benefits to communities across the country. Congress should pass the Freedom to Move Act and help any community go fare free.”

Massachusetts has become a national leader in fare-free transit through a range of programs serving urban, suburban, and rural communities. Regional transit authorities in Worcester, the Merrimack Valley, and elsewhere have launched systemwide or targeted fare-free service, while Boston has eliminated fares on several heavily used bus routes. The Commonwealth has also supported statewide pilot programs that have helped transit agencies test and expand fare-free operations.

Drawing on data from these efforts, the report examines how fare-free service is working across different transit systems and communities. The Massachusetts experience shows how eliminating fares strengthens public transit when paired with reliable service and sustained investment. It also demonstrates that communities nationwide could pursue similar programs with stronger federal support.

The Massachusetts evidence points to five core lessons. Fare-free transit:

• Lowers costs for riders
• Brings riders back to transit
• Leads to long-term ridership gains
• Makes transit easier to operate
• Works best when paired with operating support

Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley have long championed fare-free transit in Congress. In July 2025, they re-introduced the Freedom to Move Act which would provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies to offer fare free service and improve on existing transit service offerings.

The Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by:

• Establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems;
• Investing in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and
• Ensuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems.

Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good.

In July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers Freedom to Move Act.

In March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act.

In August 2022, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

No Cuts to Healthcare Coalition Outlines Devastating Cuts to Immigrant Healthcare Coming Oct 1 due to Trump’s HR 1

SEIU 775: We urge Gov and Legislature to “authorize emergency spending to stop this catastrophe before it happens”

SEATTLE, WA— Yesterday, the No Cuts to Healthcare coalition held a roundtable with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on the impending cuts to immigrant healthcare due to implementation of Trump and the Republican Congress’ HR 1.

Hosted by SEIU 775 at their offices in Seattle, Rep. Jayapal was joined by State Senator Manka Dhingra, Secretary of Washington Department of Social and Health Services Angela Ramirez, and impacted individuals and organizations including Washington State Hospital Association and Neighborhood House, immigrant caregivers and clients.

Photo Credit: Andrew Villeneuve

On October 1, 1,300 older people and people with disabilities in Washington will lose their long-term care services – and 15,000 Washington immigrants total are expected to lose their healthcare. This is part of the implementation of HR 1, Trump’s budget bill signed into law last year, called the “Big Bad Betrayal Bill” by Rep. Jayapal.

The No Cuts to Healthcare coalition is made up of a wide range of advocacy groups working to stop the cuts to immigrant healthcare, including: WA School-Based Health Alliance, Pro-Choice Washington, Northwest Health Law Advocates, OneAmerica, Washington State LTC Ombudsman Program, Economic Opportunity Institute, Firelands Workers United / Trabajadores Unidos, Chinese Information and Service Center, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, CISC, Project Access Northwest, Neighborhood House, WPSR, Washington State Budget and Policy Center, and SEIU 775.

For more information on the October 1 immigrant healthcare cliff, and to speak to panelists from yesterday, reply to this email.

Statements from roundtable panelists:

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: “Thank you to SEIU 775 and the impacted caregivers, community, and family members who spoke truth to power at yesterday’s event. When Trump and Republicans passed their Big Bad Betrayal, they stripped healthcare from millions of people in this country – and also specifically targeted immigrant communities. The No Cuts to Healthcare Coalition is bringing voices together from across our community to show just how devastating this will be in Seattle and nationwide. I am grateful to have state and local partners who are fighting to protect the most vulnerable in our communities – and in Congress, I will be standing strong to demand a reversal to these cuts that are devastating families. We have the money to take care of all people, as evidenced by the billions of dollars Republicans are greenlighting for Trump’s war of choice in Iran. It is time we actually invest at home to save lives.”

Sterling Harders, President of SEIU 775: “While Trump and Congressional Republicans are to blame for cutting Medicaid and attacking immigrants every way they can, Governor Ferguson and the legislature are working to protect vulnerable residents. They appropriated about twenty million dollars of state funds to cover the cost of people losing care, and they have worked closely with advocates and clients to get more people eligible for Medicaid. And of course they passed the Millionaires Tax to help fund these services in the future. Unfortunately, the federal government is implementing the cuts quicker and in a more draconian fashion than expected, and so the funds appropriated won’t go far enough to protect everyone from these cuts. While we appreciate what has been done thus far, we are asking the Governor and legislature to step up again and do everything possible to avoid the crisis of 1300 vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities losing care. We urge them to authorize emergency spending to stop this catastrophe before it happens and allow the legislature more time to find a long-term solution.”

State Senator Manka Dhingra: “Our intent as compassionate lawmakers was to pass a budget that prevented everyone at risk of losing their long-term care from this horrific situation. Not only is it the right thing to do, as practical lawmakers we know that protecting care is the fiscally responsible thing to do. I can’t speak for all legislators, but I do know that this was a priority of the Democrats in the legislature, the Members of Color Caucus and the Governor this session – we understand the real harm to people when coverage is cut.”

Liliana Chernova, caregiver: “My husband and I fled to Washington from Ukraine in 2022 so our family could survive. Now, our lives are still being threatened – not by bombs, but by the looming threat of lifesaving health care being ripped away from us simply because we are immigrants. We are forced to hope and pray that my mother-in-law and daughter are not left behind. We came to this country because we needed support. Washington became our home and welcomed us in. Now we’re asking state lawmakers to do the same. Our state can fill in the gap left by a federal government that is hostile to people like us.”

Zosia Stanley, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Washington State Hospital Association: “When people lose health insurance, their health care needs do not disappear. Hospitals provide care regardless of a person’s ability to pay, but they cannot absorb unlimited costs from coverage losses and funding cuts. These shortfalls will force service reductions that affect access to care for all Washington patients.”

Viktoriia, Case Manager at Neighborhood House: “I see this every day in my work, and I live it every day at home: home and community-based care is not just compassionate; it is cost-effective. It keeps people out of hospitals and out of expensive institutions. It strengthens families, and it saves public resources. We are our client’s safety and without us, what will happen?”

Issues: Health Care, Immigration, Jobs, Labor, & the Economy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Northern California – Today, Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and James Gallagher (CA-01) announced the opening of applications for the USDA Tree Removal Program for California cling peaches. Thompson and Gallagher worked with local leaders in April to secure up to $9 million in federal funding for the removal project.

“Peach growers are the backbone of the agricultural economy in Sutter and Yuba counties,” said Thompson. “The closure of the Del Monte processing facility, combined with already challenging economic conditions, dealt a devastating blow to these communities. I am grateful to have worked alongside Senator Schiff, Congressman Gallagher, our California congressional colleagues, and the California Canning Peach Association to secure this much-needed assistance. This funding will help growers navigate these difficult circumstances while strengthening the future of California’s cling peach industry.”

“California’s cling peach growers, especially those in Sutter and Yuba counties, have been navigating an incredibly tough year. This assistance provides much-needed support as growers make important decisions about their orchards. I appreciate USDA moving quickly to stand up this program, and I’m glad to join Congressman Thompson in making sure growers know these applications are now open. It’s essential that we help stabilize our local agricultural community and give farmers the tools they need to plan for the future,” said Gallagher. 

The USDA Tree Removal Program is now open. The California Canning Peach Association (CCPA) began accepting grower applications on Monday, August 3rd. The application form is posted on the Peach Association’s website (calpeach.com/treepull/) and application forms will be provided to processor field representatives. The application period will be open for 30 days following August 3rd. All completed application forms must be returned to CCPA in one of the following ways:

• Hand delivered to CCPA’s Sacramento office
• Emailed via an attachment to treepull@calpeach.com
• Sent to CCPA via USPS or another delivery service CCPA’s Sacramento office.

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Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged Tampa International Airport (TPA) CEO Michael Stephens and Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) Chair Chip Diehl to reverse plans to privatize the airport’s passenger-screening workforce through the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Gold+ initiative. The change would replace more than 700 federal Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at TPA with a private contractor responsible for passenger screening and checkpoint equipment and technology.

“Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers—neighbors, friends, and visitors—ensuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully,” said Castor in her letter.

“Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, where terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework. TSOs are vital to operating safely and smoothly, protecting tens of thousands of passengers every day. TPA TSOs continued reporting for duty through government shutdowns—even when their paychecks did not arrive. During those difficult periods, the vast majority of TPA’s TSOs stood by TPA and the traveling public. Now, TPA leadership must stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private for-profit contractor.”

If TPA continues on this track, it will be among the first airports in the country to weaken the post 9/11 security framework by entering into TSA Gold+, with the transition expected to be fully implemented by May 2027. Castor warned that privatization would create uncertainty for hundreds of Tampa Bay Veterans and longtime officers who have built careers serving the traveling public. TPA TSOs risk losing federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time they have earned over their years of federal service.

Castor challenged the argument that privatization is necessary to accelerate the deployment of modern screening technology, citing increases authorized by Congress for TSA’s technology funding to support the deployment of advanced screening equipment. The potential transfer of control of checkpoint technology to a private, for-profit contractor would put taxpayer dollars and travelers’ sensitive personal data at unnecessary risk, including through data breaches or misuse.

Castor’s letter is available here and below.

Re: Support for Tampa Airport TSA Security Officers and Opposition to TSA Gold+

Dear Mr. Stephens and Mr. Diehl:

I write not just as a representative, but as a member of the Tampa Bay community who deeply values the dedication and integrity of our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The proposal to privatize the workforce of over 700 TSOs and outsource passenger screening under the TSA Gold+ program will profoundly affect the lives of hundreds of families, the safety of millions of travelers and the reputation of the best airport in the country.

Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers, neighbors, friends, and visitors, assuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully, including the many veterans and long-serving officers in the TSO ranks. 

I have heard directly from TPA TSOs, who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization. Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity. Tampa International Airport deserves world-class security, rooted in experience and dedication, not instability and uncertainty.

This proposal arrives as we approach the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—a painful reminder of what happens when airport security is left to private firms with high turnover and inconsistent training. The Transportation Security Administration and federal TSOs were created by Congress after 9/11 to prevent another terrorist attack and ensure that our airports would never again be vulnerable to such tragedy. To weaken aviation security now is to forget the lessons learned at great cost and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Privatization threatens not only security but also the economic stability of hundreds of Tampa Bay area families. TSOs face the loss of federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time. Even if offered comparable salaries initially, there is no guarantee of long-term financial security. At a time when inflation and living costs are high, this change would bring hardship to those who have given so much to our community.

TPA TSOs have shown unwavering dedication, maintaining low call-out rates during government shutdowns and high service standards. Their commitment has been inspiring. To discharge them now under TSA Gold+ would be a betrayal of trust and gratitude.

I understand that TSA proposes to allow TSA Gold+ contractors to ease deployment of screening technology. While modern screening technology is important, Congress already has provided TSA with increased funding to deploy these advancements. There is no need to risk taxpayer dollars or passenger data by handing over control to a private contractor whose primary motivation is profit, not public safety. The risks of data breaches and misuse are simply unacceptable.

Private contractors may cut corners on training, wages and benefits, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance. Unlike federal officers, whose mission is public safety, contractors’ financial incentives may conflict with the imperative to protect lives. TPA TSOs should not be defunded.

For all of these reasons, I implore you to reject the change to TSA Gold+. Let us honor the memory of the Americans lost and injured on 9/11 by upholding the commitment to vigilance and security that has kept us safe for a quarter-century. Let’s also stand with our TSOs, local families, and our community. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

United States Representative

Florida – District 14

Cc: Gary W. Harrod, Vice Chair, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Robert I. Watkins, Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Mayor Jane Castor, Secretary, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Commissioner Harry Cohen, Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board of Directors;
Ha Nguyen McNeill, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, Transportation Security Administration;
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.