House approves Katko bill to protect travelers from unfair enhanced screening

Travelers who are repeatedly subjected to enhanced screening at security checkpoints would have a new option for redress under a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) that cleared the House on Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP), which currently is available only to travelers placed on the “No Fly List,” would be made available to travelers who have been unfairly subjected to advanced screening at transportation hubs and border crossings under the Traveler Redress Improvement Act.

“Currently, if a traveler is subject to an enhanced pat down by TSA or suspects that he or she has been flagged as a potential security threat to an airport, that individual has little redress within the Department of Homeland Security,” Katko, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, said.

“Unfortunately, erroneous information in the Terrorist Screening Database can sometimes lead to mistakenly identifying individuals as threats. This means innocent travelers may be targeted by the U.S. government — without being provided an explanation or opportunity to make amends,” Katko said.

Katko’s bill, which the House unanimously approved, would give travelers who were placed in the Terrorist Screening Database by mistake an avenue to correct the record.

“This measure establishes a formal mechanism to handle these cases within the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that individuals can travel safely and hassle-free,” Katko said.