When asked about the need for modification, cruise He told Politico that this was to ensure that political dignitaries would not be exposed to danger when passing through the airport's public spaces. The draft law says additional security would be available to people who are currently or have been the subject of a threat.
Cruz said Tuesday there are “serious security threats facing public servants.” “It is important that we take reasonable steps to keep everyone safe.”
But a representative for a nonprofit representing airport police said Mr. Cruz's proposal would be “burdensome for airport police agencies,” especially since the federal budget already underfunds airport police forces. Ta. Kevin Murphy, executive director of the Airport Law Enforcement Network, said it would divert police from their “fundamental mission of suppressing crime and security at airports.”
Instead, Murphy said, escorting political dignitaries should be the job of federal law enforcement.
The Transportation Security Administration, which would have much of the responsibility for arranging escorts, declined to comment on the bill.
Mr. Cruz drew a wave of criticism for visiting Mexico's Caribbean coast as voters weathered a deadly winter storm, and returned to Texas shortly after the photo was released. His penance included handing out water bottles to storm-hit residents, but some Democratic lawmakers called on him to resign. He later said he regretted his decision to head to Mexico with his family, calling it “obviously a mistake.”
He's not the first politician to stumble over public scrutiny of a trip he's supposed to keep private. In 2009, a reporter confronted then-South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford at the Atlanta airport during a six-day lockdown and debunked the governor's lie that he had been hiking the Appalachian Trail. there was. (Soon afterward, Sanford admitted to having had an affair with an Argentine woman.)
Air travel for political leaders could be difficult to decipher under Cruz's draft language obtained by POLITICO. The proposed amendment would require the TSA to assist with the “arrangement” of security personnel “for the entire time” the dignitary is at the airport. The provision could also include local law enforcement. Additionally, members of Congress under protective escort will be able to undergo testing without delay.
The proposal comes at a time when threats against members of Congress are on the rise. The Capitol Police, the force that protects the Capitol, announced it investigated about 8,000 threats against members of Congress in 2023, an increase of 500 from the previous year. And these threats tend to spike in election years, suggesting further escalation is on the horizon.
Although the Capitol Police maintains protection for congressional leaders both inside and outside of Congress, most rank-and-file members do not receive protection unless they are the subject of a credible threat.
The draft mandate would require TSA to provide an escort, but would also provide that the agency could simply “arrange” the escort, including working with local law enforcement agencies who would ultimately bear the cost. TSA has been granted an exemption.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Association, the umbrella group that manages airports in the Washington, D.C., area, said it was “monitoring the legislative process” but had no other comment.
But Annie Russo, chief political and parliamentary strategist for the International North American Airports Council, an industry group, said such a mandate could place additional strain on airports.
Russo said in a statement that airports face “continued reductions in federal security programs that support local law enforcement staffing,” and as a result, “many airports are unable to conduct these types of operations.” “We do not have the resources necessary to proceed smoothly.” Full time basis. ”
She nevertheless said, “I look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Cruz to address his concerns.”
