Legislator introduces bill to give TSA agents the same benefits as police officers, firefighters

Although TSA workers wear badges, crisp blue uniforms and are referred to as Security Officers, they do not currently have the same benefits as police officers or firefighters. Rep. Julia Brownley has proposed legislation that could change that. On Thursday, the California Congresswoman reintroduced the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," a bill that would give the nearly 50,000 TSA officers, agents, inspectors and air marshals the same benefits that other officers of the law receive if they are killed in the line of duty.

Rep. Brownley said:

"Transportation Security Officers are often the first line of defense against threats to our aviation, railways, ports, and transportation systems. Our nation should provide fallen TSA officers and their families with the same benefits made available to the families of other federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, such as firefighters and police officers. It is the right thing to do"

Brownley first introduced the bill after TSA officer Gerardo I. Hernandez was shot and killed while on duty at Los Angeles International Airport. Two other TSA officers were injured in the attack. Hernandez was the first TSA officer to be killed in the line of duty in the agency's 12 year history. With the bill, Brownley hoped that Hernandez' family – and the families of any other TSA officers killed while on duty – would receive the same Public Safety Officer Benefits that the families of fallen Federal, state or local public safety officers, including police officers and firefighters.

In March 2015, a 63-year-old man attacked two TSA agents with a machete and wasp spray at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, a terrifying incident that could have prompted Brownley to reintroduce the legislation.

David Cox Sr., the National President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) said:

"TSA Officers put themselves at risk every day to protect the flying public. Their families deserve the same death benefits that other federal officers receive when tragically killed in the line of duty. It’s time we do right by those who protect us every day."

According to The Hill, the AFGE – the union that represents TSA workers – has suggested that some TSA officers should be armed, in order to better defend themselves against potential attackers.