WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined together and sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requesting information regarding the Airman Certificate vetting process. Recent press reports have illuminated weaknesses in the existing system that allowed individuals representing potential national security threats to retain their airman licenses despite enacted laws designed to prevent such occurrences.