New Jersey Congressman Rebukes TSA Head over Insufficient Airport Whistleblower Protection

By Aaron Poehler

Published on October 17, 2007

Although TSA Administrator Kip Hawley told the House Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation security that TSA employees who report security flaws in the nation’s airports should be protected from retaliation from their bosses, Pascrell, D-8th Dist., asserted that the TSA's actions include a history of retaliatory treatment against whistleblowers.

Pascrell cited several cases supporting his contention, including specific incidents in Hawaii, Nevada, and New York, but Hawley claimed that he was unfamiliar with the cases mentioned.

Frustrated with Hawley’s response, Pascrell chided him for his professed ignorance and said the demonstrated pattern shows a need for increased whistleblower protection, such as that proposed under currently pending legislation that would extend the federal Whistleblower Protection Act to cover checkpoint and baggage screeners.

Hawley responded that while the agency does support whistleblower protection for its employees and that he believes workplace intimidation must not be tolerated, he stopped short of endorsing the proposed legislation, claiming that existing protections were sufficient to maintain security in the nation’s airports.

Currently, only air marshals, high-level officials, and TSA administrative staff are protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act. Screeners have limited whistleblower protection through the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

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