TSA chief was in Brussels for bombings

WASHINGTON – The head of the Transportation Security Administration was coincidentally in the Brussels airport on the day of the bombings, which he said reminded him of the importance of protecting travelers.

“We arrived right as the bombs detonated,” TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger, who was meeting with European counterparts, told the Senate transportation committee Wednesday.

“I will tell you being there that day, seeing the devastation, seeing the chaos of the airport environment and the evil behind it was a stark reminder of the importance of the work we do every day to protect travelers,” Neffenger said.

The bombings March 22 at the Brussels airport and a subway station killed 32 people and injured hundreds more.

The attacks sparked international concerns about how to better protect transportation gathering places, such as train stations and airports outside security checkpoints. Lawmakers plan to add security measures to Federal Aviation Administration legislation being debated this week in the Senate.

The committee chairman, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said one pending measure would tighten vetting of airport workers for possible ties to terrorism. Another pending measure would expand enrollment in the Precheck program of expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves.

In addition, Senate Democrats urged approval Tuesday of a proposal to nearly double the number of armed TSA teams that patrol airports and train stations from 31 to 60. The goal is to provide higher-profile security through Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams in unsecured areas of airports such as check-in, where the Brussels bombs went off, and baggage claim.

Thune noted, however, the President Obama’s budget proposal would have eliminated two VIPR teams.

“Have the events of the last two months – since the budget was released – convinced the administration that doubling of the VIPR program is needed to address current threats?” Thune asked.

Neffenger said he would put VIPR teams to work across the transportation system, in surface transportation and in public areas of airports.

“If I were to receive more VIPR teams, I would be able to put them to use,” he said.