TSA Reinstates Shoe Removal: Senator Duckworth Warns Security Gap

0:00On April 3rd, nine months back, the TSA led folks keep their shoes on through airport scanners, scrapping a rule in place for nearly two decades. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth slammed the move as reckless, warning it leaves a big security gap that could let threats slip through. This policy kicked off last July under then-DHS Secretary Christie Knowham right after the shoe bomber scare in 2001 when Richard Reed tried, blowing up a Paris-to-Miami flight. Duckworth fired off a letter to TSA brass, pointing to reports that some scanners straight up missed stuff hidden in shoes. The Senator, an Iraq war vet who lost both legs in a helicopter attack, called it a dangerous call made without real TSA input. She highlighted a DHS inspector general probe that confirmed the flaw, basically creating a fresh vulnerability for bad actors. Meanwhile, Knowham eased rules on medical liquids over 3.4 ounces if declared, and Duckworth pushed a bill to help parents with breast milk.

1:00Through security. But with a government shutdown dragging on, TSA lines are brutal as hundreds of screeners bailed amid missed paychecks. TSA and DHS haven't hit back yet on Duckworth's demand to flip the policy pronto, so travelers might see shoes off lines return while feds sort this, security mess.