WASHINGTON — Today, Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation sent a letter to Admiral Pekoske and Acting Deputy Administrator Cogswell of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expressing concern about the agency’s plan to divert personnel to the southern border.

“While we acknowledge the request for additional resources from the Department of Homeland Security, we have concerns about the potential impact on executing TSA’s mission to “protect the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators asked TSA for a risk assessment and analysis of the impact to TSA operations and strategy of this plan.

“We request that you meet with us to discuss the decision-making involved in this new and unexpected use of TSA resources and any further deployment of TSA personnel.” the Senators wrote. “We also ask that you provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with a risk assessment and analysis of the impact to TSA operations and strategy, as well as a summary of outreach to and coordination with transportation stakeholders, including airports and surface transportation facilities.” 

 You can read the full letter from Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Cantwell here.