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[Senate Hearing 119-538] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] S. Hrg. 119-538 NOMINATION OF DAVID CUMMINS, NOMINEE TO BE ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ======================================================================= HEARING before the COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION __________ JULY 16, 2026 __________ Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT] Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov ______ U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 65-530 PDF WASHINGTON : 2026 SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, ROGER WICKER, Mississippi Ranking DEB FISCHER, Nebraska AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee GARY PETERS, Michigan TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin TED BUDD, North Carolina TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri JACKY ROSEN, Nevada JOHN CURTIS, Utah BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado TIM SHEEHY, Montana JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia ANDY KIM, New Jersey CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director C O N T E N T S ---------- Page Hearing held on July 16, 2026.................................... 1 Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 1 Statement of Senator Kim......................................... 2 Letter dated July 15, 2026 to Hon. Ted Cruz and Hon. Maria Cantwell from Daniel Horowitz, Legislative Director, American Federation of Government Employees................ 4 Statement of Senator Moreno...................................... 18 Statement of Senator Blackburn................................... 20 Statement of Senator Fischer..................................... 21 Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................ 23 Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 26 Statement of Senator Fetterman................................... 27 Witnesses David Cummins, Nominee to be Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security....... 5 Prepared statement........................................... 6 Biographical information..................................... 7 Appendix Response to written questions submitted to David Cummins by: Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 31 Hon. Dan Sullivan............................................ 31 Hon. Cynthia Lummis.......................................... 32 Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 33 Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 37 Hon. Edward Markey........................................... 37 Hon. Gary Peters............................................. 38 Hon. Tammy Duckworth......................................... 40 Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 46 Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 47 Hon. Brian Schatz............................................ 48 NOMINATION OF DAVID CUMMINS, NOMINEE TO BE ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ---------- THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026 U.S. Senate, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Washington, DC. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:34 a.m., in room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Committee, presiding. Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Fischer, Moran, Blackburn, Moreno, Peters, Hickenlooper, Fetterman, and Kim. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ, U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS The Chairman. Good morning. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order. Today, we consider the nomination of David Cummins to be the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. Mr. Cummins' nomination comes at a crucial time for the TSA. In the past year, TSA employees had to work for nearly three months without a paycheck due to two pointless, unnecessary, and damaging Democrat-imposed shutdowns. Due to the second roughly 75-day shutdown, the TSA has now lost more than 1,100 employees because the Democrats thought it was a good idea to shut down the government and to stop paying people whose job it is to help keep air travel safe. The efficient and secure operation of our Nation's airports is vital to the smooth flow of commerce and travel for Americans. The TSA is central to that mission. It is my hope that under the leadership of David Cummins, the TSA will focus on its mission, continuously innovate to stay ahead of emerging threats, adapt to new traveler trends, and improve employee morale. Mr. Cummins has spent more than two decades of private sector experience leading transportation technology, mobility, and government services operations. In his recent role as Senior Vice President of citizen services at Serco, Inc., he managed a 5,000 employee division with over $600 million in revenue. He's also held senior roles at Xerox's transportation and government services business, and led operations planning for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. With nearly 65,000 employees today, the TSA functions much like a complex, large corporation. As a private sector business executive, Mr. Cummins has the acumen that is needed to keep an organization like the TSA lean, focused, and operating smoothly. He has already identified screening technology modernization, workforce morale, and improving the traveler experience as priorities for his tenure as administrator. Mr. Cummins will also take the helm at a time when TSA is focused on modernizing the Agency. After 9/11, the U.S. endeavored to create the most secure transportation system in the world. In recent years, however, the TSA has struggled to roll out new technology at airports, including top-of-the-line baggage and identity verification technologies. Some estimates suggest the TSA will not fully deploy these new technologies until the 2040s. This timeline is simply unacceptable. Innovative thinking will be needed to change the TSA's current trajectory. This fall marks 25 years since the September 11 terror attacks. The Administration should be thoughtfully evaluating the success of the TSA. Congress should similarly evaluate whether the TSA functions as an agile security Agency and why its modernization has been so often mired in bureaucracy. Between TSA's management and modernization efforts, technology procurement, delayed cybersecurity rules and reliance on security directives, and the commercialization of drone operations, the TSA needs an administrator who's prepared to tackle significant challenges. Mr. Cummins will bring practical management background and has the expertise to lead the TSA as it seeks to improve operational performance, technology modernization, and service delivery headed into 2030. I look forward to hearing from Mr. Cummins about his vision for the TSA and how he will further the mission of ensuring safe and efficient transportation for all Americans. And with that, I recognize Ranking Member Kim for his opening. STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM, U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY Senator Kim. Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Cummins, congratulations on your nomination, and thank you for being here. We are approaching the solemn milestone of 25 years since the attack of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of that devastating day, we realized that a fragmented, privatized, and inconsistent aviation security framework was a vulnerability we could no longer afford. Congress established the Transportation Security Agency to ensure that securing our transportation systems was treated as a unified and deliberate Federal national security mission. We must rededicate ourselves to ensuring the highest levels of transportation security for the traveling public. TSA needs an effective leader that can ensure the Agency proactively predicts, acts, and prevents transportation security risks. The 9/11 Commission Report specifically warned we need a multilayered security system that depends on a highly trained, federally accountable workforce. It's crucial that the next TSA Administrator supports a strong TSA workforce and listens to frontline personnel to achieve this mission. However, the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget request seeks to cut more than 9,400 TSA personnel through expanding privatized screening and other initiatives. In short, the administration wants to reduce personnel in favor of automated technology deployment. This includes a proposed expansion of the Screening Partnership Program--the SPP--with new aims. Currently, only 21 out of the roughly 440 commercial airports nationwide participate in SPP. The vast majority rely on Federal transportation security officers, despite already having option of choosing private contractors. Instead of keeping this program voluntary for airports to opt into, smaller Category III and IV airports would be required to apply, and the administration is seeking additional authorities with the goal of fully privatizing these airports. If implemented, this expansion would result in $52 million in net savings by slashing thousands of Federal TSA positions from the budget rolls and stripping public servants of their right under the existing collective bargaining agreements. In addition, we risk compromising security oversight of vital screening technologies. The Trump administration's new TSA Gold+ program would not only outsource personnel but would also allow private contractors to manage, procure, and upgrade sensitive screening technologies and equipment. The GAO found that TSA repeatedly struggles to ensure its deployment screening technologies maintain strict detection requirements over their lifecycle. If the Federal Government already struggles with the--with oversight, delegating these critical acquisition and maintenance roles to private vendors under the new TSA Gold+ program makes no sense. This would only serve to further weaken TSA's operational controls over some of the most sensitive technology in aviation security. Mr. Cummins, these proposals would hurt the very workforce dedicated to the security of the traveling public each day. Private contractors answer to the bottom line, incentivizing them to cut labor costs, and the TSA's privatization push is built on offloading its highest expenditure personnel compensation and benefits. And let's remember, TSA's critical transportation security mandate extends far beyond our airports. Our pipelines, freight, and passenger rail systems are under constant threat from cyber adversaries. Following the Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021, TSA utilized its statutory authority to issue urgent mandatory security directives to secure our surface transportation systems. However, the Agency has still not finalized in its November 2024 proposed rulemaking to permanently codify these performance-based risk--cyber risk requirements. Swiftly issuing the rule has a bipartisan mandate in the Senate-passed Pipeline Safeties Act. We must be clear-eyed about what we could lose under the administration's budget cuts and anti-worker initiatives. TSOs have stood on the front line of our transportation system, keeping the flying public safe and the economy moving, and they are sounding the alarm. Representing over 45,000 TSOs at more than 400 airports nationwide, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees recently testified to Congress, ``Technology alone cannot replace experienced personnel at checkpoints. That eye, that deescalation, you need an experienced TSO to do that job, and they do it well.'' I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from AFGE asking the Committee to obtain clear testimony from Mr. Cummins to commit to uphold TSO collective bargaining rights and honoring related court orders to not expand privatization of airport security screening, and to explain how his qualifications prepare him for this transportation security role. The Chairman. Without objection, it'll be entered into the record. [The information referred to follows:] American Federation of Government Employees July 15, 2026 Hon. Ted Cruz, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell: On behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL- CIO (AFGE), which represents more than 45,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at over 400 commercial airports, I write regarding the July 16 hearing on the nomination of David Cummins to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Before the Senate considers consenting to this nomination, AFGE urges the Committee to obtain clear, on-the-record answers from the nominee in three key areas. First, Mr. Cummins must commit to upholding TSOs' collective bargaining rights and honoring the court-affirmed collective bargaining agreement with AFGE. A Federal court has twice ruled against the Department of Homeland Security's attempts to terminate the 2024 collective bargaining agreement, most recently holding on January 15, 2026, that the Department's conduct violated a preliminary injunction ``by its plain terms.'' That contract remains in force. Yet in written responses to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Mr. Cummins asserted that collective bargaining agreements ``interfere with critical national security functions.'' That same collective bargaining agreement, with the 2023 pay improvements, cut TSO attrition nearly in half. Then-Administrator David Pekoske said that without them ``we probably wouldn't have a TSA in five or 10 years.'' The nominee must commit unequivocally to comply with all court orders, honor the CBA, and recognize the representative the workforce chose by secret ballot in 2011. Second, Mr. Cummins must commit not to expand privatization of airport security screening. Congress federalized security screening in the after of the September 11 attack because the private screening contractor model failed. The Administration's FY 2027 budget nonetheless calls for eliminating 8,400 TSO positions and mandating private screening at over 200 Category III and Category IV commercial airports nationwide. Additionally, the agency is racing ahead with its opaque TSA Gold+ plan under which private vendors would control both the screening workforce and the screening technology itself. In his written answers to HSGAC, Mr. Cummins praised privatized airports' shutdown performance and pledged to expand public-private partnerships. However, even industry stakeholders testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee in May stated on the record that they were against mandatory privatization. The Senate Commerce Committee should insist that the nominee halt the current TSA Gold+ procurement pending full congressional review and oppose any mandatory expansion. Third, Mr. Cummins must explain to the Committee his background and qualifications in transportation security. Nearly every previous Senate-confirmed TSA administrator brought significant transportation security experience. Administrator Pekoske served as Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Administrator John Pistole served as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Administrator James Loy served as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Mr. Cummins' own questionnaire cites only private-sector contracting roles and the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the FIFA World Cup underway, the 2028 Summer Olympics approaching, and amid the current conflict with Iran, the next administrator must be prepared on day one to protect the traveling public. TSOs have endured the two longest government shutdowns in American history, working 43 days without pay in late 2025 and another 75 days during the 2026 DHS funding lapse. Officers slept in their cars, sold their own plasma, and received eviction notices while screening nearly three million passengers a day. More than 2,100 trained officers left TSA in under seven months in response to the shutdowns. It is paramount that the next TSA administrator and the U.S. Congress work to rebuild the significant decline in morale among TSOs and build on the vast skill and experience the current TSO workforce provides. TSOs have kept an unblemished security record through extraordinary adversity. They deserve a Senate-confirmed leader worthy of them. Thank you. Sincerely, Daniel Horowitz, Legislative Director. Senator Kim. Last, there have been reports that your former contracting firm, Serco, has trained ICE enforcement officers and been criticized by human rights groups for their immigration detention centers overseas. I hope you can help the Committee shed some light on those issues. And with that, thank you, and I yield back. The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Cummins, you're recognized for your opening statement. STATEMENT OF DAVID CUMMINS, NOMINEE TO BE ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Mr. Cummins. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Kim, and distinguished members of this committee, I'm deeply honored to be considered as President Trump's nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration. I want to begin by thanking my wife, Kristen, and our four children, whose patience and unwavering support have made it possible for me to be here today. I also want to thank President Trump and Secretary Mullen. I am deeply honored by the trust they have placed in me and the encouragement they have provided. A few weeks ago, I met a TSA officer, or TSO, from Dallas Fort Worth Airport named Lucy. If Lucy were standing here today, she would remind us that 25 years ago, our Nation changed forever when hijacked airlines were used as weapons. She would tell you that she still carries that weight every morning as she walks past the Not on Our Watch sign to her post. Lucy told me that during this last government shutdown, she and her fellow officers weren't just struggling for months to pay rent, gas, and childcare. They were struggling to even feed their families. I also visited Los Angeles and Indianapolis where I learned that TSOs relied on local food banks just to keep their households fed. TSOs like Lucy have a zero fail national security mission. There is too much at stake to have them distracted by months without pay. If confirmed, we will explore various ways to protect our people, including the expansion of the Screening Partnership Program, or SPP. Some will suggest that the SPP is all about privatization and that it is anti-worker. I hold that it is, in fact, pro-worker to pay your employees, as the SPP airports did during the last shutdowns. The opt-in expansion of the SPP will leverage the resources of the private sector to make our Nation's security more resilient to political theater. Over the last 25 years, as the horrors of 9/11 have naturally grown less vivid, our frontline TSOs and Federal air marshals have increasingly felt undervalued by a Nation that has sometimes lost sight of their critical role. We owe them a debt of gratitude. If confirmed, my very first responsibility will be to go out to our airports, look Lucy and her colleagues in the eyes, and show them how deeply they are appreciated. I want them to know how essential their mission is and that I will do everything in my power to protect and support them in the future. These vanguards at our checkpoints also tell me that an upgrade of our technology is long overdue. They want us to rapidly deploy next-generation baggage scanning and passenger screening systems to make their work more secure and efficient. I am committed to the modernization of our aviation security and to ensuring that TSA is positioned to stay ahead of emerging threats. We do not have to choose between a secure checkpoint, an efficient checkpoint, or an elevated traveler experience. In fact, our mission demands that we achieve all three at once. That is President Trump's and Secretary Mullen's vision for the TSA, and it's what the American people rightfully expect of this Agency. I come before you today not as a bureaucrat, but as a transportation executive and technologist. My 25-year career spans the entire transportation system, including urban mobility, highway safety, port security, and air traffic control. I will bring this experience and innovation to help the TSA secure what this administration calls the golden age of travel. Lucy and her colleagues can and will achieve security, efficiency, and a courteous experience for the traveling public. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Kim, and distinguished members of this committee, the challenges ahead are significant, but the opportunities to transform the TSC--TSA on the eve of its 25th anniversary are even greater. Thank you for your time, your commitment, and your vital oversight. [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr. Cummins follow:] Prepared Statement of David Cummins, Nominee to be Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as President Trump's nominee to be the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is an honor to be considered for this critical national security position, and if confirmed, I look forward to the opportunity to work with Secretary Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, and Congress to carry out the mission to secure our skies and protect the traveling public. I am humbled by the trust placed in me to lead TSA at a time when our Nation faces evolving security challenges and increasing demands on our transportation systems. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with federal, state, and local partners, as well as with industry and private sector stakeholders, to address complex issues and to foster collaboration across the transportation sector. I have served in positions that require strategic vision and operational excellence, and I have consistently prioritized transparency, accountability, and innovation. I believe these qualities are essential for leading TSA. If confirmed, my top priority will be to ensure that TSA continues to fulfill its mission of protecting the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. I recognize the importance of maintaining the highest standards of security while also respecting the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of all passengers. I am committed to supporting TSA's workforce and providing them with the tools, training, and resources they need to succeed. Transportation security is a shared responsibility, and I believe that open communication and collaboration are vital to mission success. I will focus on strengthening partnerships with our industry and private sector partners, leveraging their expertise and resources to advance security. I will work to foster a culture within TSA that welcomes and celebrates innovation, encouraging the adoption of cutting-edge technology to enhance security, all while improving the passenger experience. Finally, if confirmed, I commit to regularly engaging with Congress and this Committee, to provide timely information, respond to congressional oversight requests, and working collaboratively to strengthen transportation security to ensure the agency is transparent with and accountable to the American taxpayer. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished Members of this Committee, thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored to be nominated and look forward to your questions. ______ a. biographical information 1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): David Preston Cummins, with no nicknames 2. Position to which nominated: TSA Administrator. 3. Date of Nomination: May 11, 2026 officially submitted to Senate. 4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses): Residence: Information not released to the public. Office: Information not provided. 5. Date and Place of Birth: Information not provided. 6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage). Spouse: Kristin Cummins, Owner, Ramsbury Real Estate Group, LLC 7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of the degree. Messiah University, 1990-1994, B.A. in Political Science George Washington University, 1994-1997, M.A. in International Affairs University of Michigan, 1998-2000, M.B.A. 8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title, name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to the position for which you are nominated. 1994-1998: Financial Officer, AED, Inc. 2000-2001: Director of Strategy and Business Development, Arbros Communications 2002: Director of Operations, Salt Lake Winter Olympic Committee Relevance: Security and Transportation Operations 2002-2016: Senior Vice President, Mobility Solutions, Xerox, Inc. Relevance: Transportation Solutions & Operations April 2026: Senior Vice President, Citizen Services, Serco, Inc. Relevance: Transportation Solutions & Operations 9. Attach a copy of your resume. Attached. 10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other than those listed above after 18 years of age. Member, Advisory Committee, Virginia Health Benefit Exchange (appointed by Governor) (Plan to resign upon Senate confirmation.) 11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee, partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise, educational, or other institution. Member, Board of Directors, Valley Forge Military Academy (Plan to resign upon Senate confirmation.) 12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization (You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. None. 13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office (elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are personally liable for that debt. None. 14. List all memberships and offices held with and services rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years, identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None. 15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign organization, political party, political action committee, or similar entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. Serco Political Action Committee Contributions by Year: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fiscal Year Deduction Total Deduction Amt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2017 PAC $2.681.76 2018 PAC $2,905.24 2019 PAC $3,290.43 2020 PAC $5,000.00 2021* PAC $4,999.80 2022 PAC $4,999.80 2023 PAC $4,999.80 2024 PAC $4,999.80 2025 PAC $4,999.80 2026 PAC $1,923.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ $40,799.43 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Additionally in 2021: $2,000 Donation for Glenn Youngkin for Governor 16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition for outstanding service or achievements. None. 17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor, Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored, individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the publication when available. Spotify Podcast Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/ 3WpgSYRck6ocFHpODlevjW 18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the speech or presentation when available. None relevant to this position. 19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the statement when available. I have not made any public statements directly relevant to the position for which I have been nominated. However, I have been cited or featured in various media outlets on topics related to transportation and technology. The following is a list of those citations, with links provided where available: YouTube Interview https://www.youtube.com/ watch?app=desktop&v=dMlCcCk45SA ITS International: Xerox Takes a Youthful View of the Future of Transport https://www.itsinternational.com/its8/feature/xerox- takes-youthful-view-future-transport Forbes: How Xerox Uses Analytics, Bi2 Data, and Ethnography to Help Government Solve Big Problems https://www.forbes.com/sites/benkerschberg/2012/10/22/ how-xerox-uses-analytics-big-data-and-ethnography-to-help- government-solve-big-problems/ Conduent: Xerox CitySight Data Analytics Solution Helps Parking Enforcement Officers https://www.news.conduent.com/news/Xerox-CitySight- Data-Analytics-Solution-Helps-Parking-Enforcement-Officers Democrat & Chronicle: Xerox, Michigan, and Driverless Cars https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/ business/2014/05/06/xerox-michigan-driverless-cars/8781689/ ExecutiveBiz: Xerox Parking Meter Modernization Earns Indianapolis 3M; David Cummins Comments https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/xerox-parking- meter-modernization-eams-indianapolis-3m-david-cummins- comments StateScoop: Xerox Unveils Parking Enforcement Management Tool https://statescoop.com/xerox-unveils-parking- enforcement-management-tool/ Xerox UK News: Xerox and Dutch Start-Up Share Prestigious Innovation Award https://news.xerox.co.uk/news/xerox-and-dutch-start- up-share-prestigious-innovation-award StateTech Magazine: Indianapolis Streamlines Parking Payments https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2014/05/ indianapolis-streamlines-parking-payments ITS International: Xerox Kicks ITS America San Jose into High Gear https://www.itsinternational.com/news/xerox-kicks-its- america-san-jose-high-gear-wheels-things Conduent: New Go Centennial Transportation App https://www.news.conduent.com/news/new-Go-Centennial- transportation-app Streetsblog California: Garcetti, LADOT, and Xerox Announce New GoLA Multi-Modal App https://cal.streetsblog.org/2016/01/28/garcetti-ladot- and-xerox-announce-new-gola-multi-modal-app GovTech: To Cope with Population Growth, Cities Creating Green Transit Apps https://www.govtech.com/fs/To-Cope-with-Population- Growth-Cities-Creating-Green-Transit-Apps.html Democrat & Chronicle: Lahman-Big Data Useful for Xerox Corp., Risky for Others https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/ columnist/lahman/2014/05/29/lahman-big-data-useful-xerox- corp-risky/9691471/ 20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'', including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible. LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/cumminsdavid Username: cumminsdavid Status: Hibernated X (formerly Twitter) Handle: @david_cumm89438 Status: No posts Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/18CbTbxPUP/ ?mibextid=wwXIfr Username: David Cummins Status: Used only for Facebook Marketplace purchases 21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non- governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject matter of each testimony. None. 22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that position? I have served as a business executive and technologist in the U.S. and global transportation industry for the past 25 years. My professional experience with the Salt Lake Winter Olympics Committee, Xerox, Inc., and Serco, Inc. has provided me with a unique and comprehensive perspective that qualifies me to serve as the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Throughout my career, I have developed broad expertise in venue management and security, electronic toll collection, mass transit, air traffic control, Department of Motor Vehicles operations, and facilities management for the U.S. Air Force. For the past 25 years, I have delivered innovative solutions to government clients and now seek to serve my country directly through Federal service. If confirmed, I will leverage my experience and expertise to advance the modernization of TSA and strengthen its mission over the next five years. 23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large organization? If confirmed, I will be ultimately responsible for overseeing the strategy, operations, technology, and budget of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in support of its mission to protect the Nation's transportation systems and ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. This includes ensuring that TSA maintains proper management and accounting controls to safeguard its resources, promote transparency, and achieve operational excellence. My prior experience includes managing a division at Serco with more than 5,000 employees, which has prepared me to lead large, complex organizations. This background has equipped me with the skills necessary to implement effective management practices, maintain robust financial controls, and advance TSA's objectives efficiently and responsibly. 24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the department/agency/commission/corporation, and why? Modernizing Screening Technology at Airports: The Transportation Security Administration has faced significant capital constraints and underfunding of its technology needs in recent years. Consequently, many airports across the country continue to rely on outdated screening technology. Deploying state-of-the-art screening solutions is essential to strengthening security and enhancing the passenger experience. Additionally, the process for testing, approving, and deploying new technology is highly bureaucratic. As a result, innovation is delayed and it takes years to roll out new technologies, which can create a dangerous lag between adapting to emerging threats and the agency's ability to deploy the cutting-edge security technology needed to combat the threats. Improving Workforce Morale: Improving workforce morale and recruiting top people to serve at TSA. I imagine that many people in the TSA workforce, and people considering joining TSA, do not currently have confidence that their paycheck will always be there when it is supposed to be. It will take strong leadership at TSA to retain its top talent and recruit top new talent. After enduring the two longest shutdowns in history and enduring many hardships, we need TSA to remain an employer of choice. Enhancing the Traveler Experience: Going through airport security is necessary but it doesn't need to be overly burdensome on the American people. By embracing modernization and private-sector partnerships, we can make air travel more efficient and enjoyable for the American traveler. This means thinking outside of the box to come up with solutions that not only maintain the highest security standards but that will explore ways to make travel more convenient. b. potential conflicts of interest 1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates, clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan. I maintain a 401(k) retirement account with Serco, Inc., which is invested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and does not include Serco stock. I am currently in the process of rolling over these funds into my brokerage account, where they will be allocated to non-industry transportation ETFs. 2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal, to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business, association, or other organization during your appointment? If so, please explain. I currently serve on the Advisory Committee for the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange in a non-fiduciary capacity. If confirmed by the Senate, I intend to resign from this position. Additionally, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Forge Military Academy and likewise plan to resign from this role upon confirmation. 3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. Other than the Serco 401(k) referenced above, for which my Serco stock options have already been sold, I have no investments, obligations, liabilities, or relationships that could present a potential conflict of interest. My spouse operates a real estate business that develops and manages properties in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Florida. All properties are residential, with the exception of two small row homes in Washington, D.C., which serve as boutique offices (approximately ten offices in each). None of her tenants provide services to the Transportation Security Administration, and she will ensure that future clients do not. All residential properties generating rental income are managed exclusively by Ramsbury Real Estate Group, LLC, a licensed real estate firm owned and operated solely by my spouse, Kristin Cummins. I have no involvement in the day-to-day operations, tenant selection, lease negotiations, or financial management of these properties. My interest in these assets is strictly as a passive co-owner; all management decisions are made independently by the firm to ensure that no conflict arises with my public duties. 4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. I was employed by Serco, Inc. from 2016 until April 30, 2026. Serco provides services to the U.S. Federal Government, including the Department of Homeland Security; however, to my knowledge, Serco bas never provided services to the Transportation Security Administration. My employment with Serco has concluded, and I have no remaining financial ties to the company, as all stock options have been sold. In strict compliance with 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2635.502, I will recuse myself for the duration of my appointment from any particular matter-- including, but not limited to, procurement, contractual decisions, or policy execution--in which Serco, Inc., Xerox, Inc., or Conduent, Inc. is a party or represents a party. This approach will ensure that no possible conflict of interest arises in connection with my public duties. 5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. Consistent with my Ethics Agreement, I will divest all individual company stock holdings and transition to non-industry exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as soon as practicable, but no later than 90 days after my confirmation. This action will ensure that I avoid any potential conflicts of interest in connection with my duties at the Transportation Security Administration. 6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and execution of law or public policy. None. c. legal matters 1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics, professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other professional group? No. If yes: N/A a. Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or group; b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or personnel action was issued or initiated; c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or personnel action; d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or personnel action. 2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal, State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No. 3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please explain. Both Valley Forge Military Academy and the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange were parties to civil litigation during my tenure on their Board of Directors and Advisory Committee, respectively. To my knowledge, I was never cited in those proceedings nor involved in the legal documents. I intend to resign from both organizations. 4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No. 5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No. 6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information, favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in connection with your nomination. None. d. relationship with committee 1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/ corporation complies with deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/ corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in the minority? Yes. 2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/ corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes. 3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes. 4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be reasonably requested to do so? Yes. [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT] The Chairman. Thank you. Over the last year, tens of thousands of TSA employees had to work without pay for approximately 90 days between two Democrat-caused shutdowns. From February to May of this year, over 1,100 TSA employees have left the Agency. As we inch closer to yet another government funding fight, we are facing the very likely prospect of yet a third Democrat-imposed shutdown. A government shutdown would be profoundly disruptive for the traveling public. How would another shutdown affect TSA's workforce? Mr. Cummins. Thank you, Chairman. I've talked to dozens of TSOs at a number of airports over the last 3 weeks, as a senior advisor, just trying to understand what they went through during the shutdown and what they're going through today, and I can confirm what you said. Their morale is very, very low right now. They're fearing--feeling very underappreciated by the American public and specifically by this government. They fear the prospect--they watch the news. They hear about the prospect of another shutdown. And as you mentioned, we've had significant attrition because of the last two shutdowns, and not just entry-level workers, but folks that have been with the Agency for 20 years or more. And so, I am deeply concerned that, in the face of another shutdown, we're going to start seeing attrition pick up, and so we need to be prepared as an Agency and develop contingency plans on how we're going to deal with that eventuality if it happens. But please, I ask this committee to do whatever you can to keep that from happening and to ensure our workers are paid. The Chairman. The American people should be fully aware that Federal Government funding expires on September 30. I believe the odds are 100 percent that the Democrats intend to force yet another shutdown starting on October 1 of this year. Minority Leader Schumer is not an individual known for his creativity or versatility. One year ago, in the month before Election Day, Democrats forced a shutdown, and they believe they benefited politically by shutting the government down. I think that tactic was profoundly cynical. It abused TSA agents and officers, it damaged the Agency profoundly, it increased the risks of a terror attack, and it imposed enormous pain on the flying public, resulting in millions of passengers having their flights delayed or canceled. I don't believe that should ever happen again. I understand our Democrat colleagues hope they win the election in November, but imposing that kind of unnecessary suffering is not an appropriate step to try to win an election. I've introduced legislation called the Keep America Flying Act, bipartisan legislation that says essential employees, like TSA personnel, and air traffic controllers, and those Federal employees who are necessary to keep our planes flying in the air safely, will be paid regardless of the partisan games that either party plays. We should never again have TSA agents not getting their paycheck. We should never again have air traffic controllers not getting their paycheck. We should never again have the flying public put in danger for the partisan political objectives of the Democrats. Do you support the Keep America Flying Act? Mr. Cummins. Thank you, Chairman Cruz. We support anything Congress can do, and we champion your efforts specifically, Mr. Chairman, to keep our workers paid. If I had Lucy sitting next to me today, she would look all of you in the eyes and say please don't do it again. Please don't do it again. And so, I would like to just lay out that I can't say what'll happen if there's an extended shutdown again. But what I can say, what's likely to happen is we're going to have significant attrition, we're going to have mass call-outs again, and we're going to have a situation, particularly in the smaller airports where a handful of people don't show, we're going to have to shut down the entire checkpoint, which basically means shutting down the entire airport. It's one of the reasons that we are aggressively pushing the expansion of the SPP program because these airports need resilience, and having private contractors pay the TSOs during a shutdown provides resilience. And so, thank you for your efforts, Chairman, and we will support you in any way we possibly can. The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Kim. Senator Kim. Yes, thank you. I mean, look, you know, I was, before I came into Congress, a career Federal Government worker. I worked through multiple shutdowns, did not get my paycheck, and it was frustrating. It was. And I--look, I--you know, what you said about Lucy, you want her to be able to do her job, right, and we'll find ways, and I hope that we can make sure--we ensure that because, again, they're working hard. They should be able to get paid. What I also want to make sure is that they can do their job, right? Lucy wants to go and be able to do the job that she signed up for. Is that right? Well, I guess I'd ask you, if you were directed to pull TSA screeners from American airports in cities deemed sanctuary cities, would you follow those orders? Mr. Cummins. So, we in TSA are one component of many components within DHS, and we are one DHS. We do not operate in silos. So, we will support the mission of the larger Agency, which is to protect the homeland. Senator Kim. What would happen to our airports if you pulled TSA screeners away from their jobs? Mr. Cummins. Well, I can't speak to the hypothetical of that happening, but if---- Senator Kim. It's not a hypothetical. Mr. Cummins. But I would say that---- Senator Kim. My state was threatened specifically about this in New Jersey. Mr. Cummins. Yes, I would---- Senator Kim. We ran lots of models about what would happen. You know what would happen. You know, the airports would shut down. We would have a tremendous amount of damage to commerce and industry, our economy. The flying public would not be able to go about. You know, you just talked about wanting Lucy to be able to do her job. I'm in agreement on that. You think it's OK for her to now be pulled from doing the TSA screening that she signed up for and have to do some other job with--alongside ICE or some other aspect of DHS? You think that's fair? Mr. Cummins. Well, we have--we have plenty of opportunities because we are hiring like mad because of the attrition that I said. If this hypothetical were to happen, that certain airports were going to be closed temporarily until legal immigration can be enforced around those cities, I can't speak whether that would happen. But if that were a direction that was provided by this administration, we would ensure that those TSOs at those airports were positioned to other airports nearby. We do this constantly. We're constantly shifting officers around to help supplement when we have shifts in demand. Senator Kim. But you would agree that, much like what we experienced during the shutdown, that this would be disruptive to the flying public and cause economic harm to our country? Mr. Cummins. What I would say is that we are in a--in a very politicized environment. We all need to recognize that aviation security is impaired oftentimes by politics, and---- Senator Kim. I just want to say, you know, the public will be furious about this if this happened, in the same way they were furious during the shutdown, and this is something we should try to avoid. I also just wanted to point out, you know, again, talking about Lucy wanting to be able to do her job, well, look, there are lots of people like Lucy that want to do their jobs, and there are lots of people that, like Lucy, at TSA, that want to make sure that they can have collective bargaining rights. I wanted to ask you, do you agree about codifying and supporting collective bargaining rights for TSA workers? Mr. Cummins. So, the collective bargaining agreement that we have in place with TSA today, which we are abiding by today because we are following the court order that's in place, it actually has a--an impact on our flexibility to scale with variable demand. As we all know, in every airport on any given day, you can have a spike in the number of travelers, and it's incumbent upon us to shift our supply to meet that variable demand. The CBA rules, as they're currently written, dramatically hinder that ability. You have to bid on your shift months in advance. It's very difficult to trade shifts. It's seniority based. I have worked in the private sector with 2,000 employees under me that were under CBAs of the 5,000 that reported into me, and you learn to work with it, but it hinders your ability to deliver a mission, and in this case, our mission is national security. And national security should never be hindered by work rules that limit our ability to flex and be agile--and as agile as the threats we encounter. Senator Kim. I think these workers--you know, they respect and they want to do their jobs, and I think that any agreement should be made. And so, if there are ways in which we can ensure that mission success is the paramount goal, of course, these workers want to do so, but they want to have a say in it, you know. And if you need more resources, more personnel, then come to Congress because that's what we're trying to do. We don't actually want the Trump administration budget to come through and cut thousands of workers from TSA. But look, if you're going to evoke Lucy's name, the names of these TSOs, listen to them. Respect them. Give them a say in their own work. Don't just think it's something that you, from the top down, can just order them to go leave their jobs, leave their posts in sanctuary cities or elsewhere. So, I just urge you, you know, if you're going to stand up and say that you care about the workers, care about it in total, but give them the rights, give them the respect they deserve. With that, I yield back. The Chairman. Senator Moreno. STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO, U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO Senator Moreno. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Cummins, you were an executive of a company called Serco. Is that correct? Mr. Cummins. That's correct. Senator Moreno. And how long were you there? Mr. Cummins. I was there nine years. Senator Moreno. Nine years? How many total employees did you have, more or less? Mr. Cummins. Under me, 5,000. Senator Moreno. Five thousand. How many of your--how many of those employees did you not pay who came to work? Mr. Cummins. We never didn't pay them, and in fact, we had---- Senator Moreno. Wait, wait. You mean every time they came to work, you paid them? Mr. Cummins. Yes. It's funny how the private sector works, and, in fact, I will say---- Senator Moreno. What would've happened if you didn't pay them? Mr. Cummins. They would've left. Senator Moreno. Well, worse, you'd probably get into a wage and hour lawsuit---- Mr. Cummins. That's correct. Senator Moreno.--that would probably be filed by my Democrat colleagues. Mr. Cummins. That's correct. Senator Moreno. And yet they had no problem--no problem-- they didn't even wince at the idea of not paying 260,000 members of the Department of Homeland Security for 43 days. It didn't even bother them. In fact, when Senator Kennedy and I went on the floor to put a bill that said that we should have our paychecks withheld while government employees weren't getting paid, they objected to that. Think about what would've happened in your case at Serco. If the executives were being paid and you paid none of your employees, what would have happened? So, let me ask you a little bit of a different question. When you talk to the people who work at TSA, could you rank for me what they care about? So, let's say a really nice cafeteria where they can get a wonderful snack, but that is one thing that you can give them, including beautiful, brand-new microwaves, new uniforms that are sparkling, a collective bargaining agreement that brings tears to their eyes, it's so good for them, or a paycheck. Which one would be the top thing that they would want? Mr. Cummins. Well, no one should ever work without a paycheck. Senator Moreno. So, you think a paycheck would--paycheck trumps anything else? Mr. Cummins. Yes. Senator Moreno. OK. Do you--do you think on a--it's decently grotesque that politicians use employees as political pawns and political battles to get political power? Mr. Cummins. Yes. Senator Moreno. Do you think that's grotesque? Mr. Cummins. Yes, and I---- Senator Moreno. Do you think it--do you think it's absolutely, not only gross politically, it's actually immoral because I went during a government shutdown to Cleveland Airport. I talked to government employees who told me--this is a grown man my age, who told me with tears in his eyes that he had to tell his 14-year-old daughter he couldn't pay for her dance recital because he wasn't getting a paycheck and how emasculating that was, and how he had to explain to his daughter he showed up for work, followed the rules, did what he was told, worked there for 20-plus years, and because of politicians here in Washington, D.C., he was not getting a paycheck. How does that make employees feel? Mr. Cummins. I was told stories of 20-year veterans having to go to food banks to get food. How demoralizing, how humiliating is that, right? Senator Moreno. And you had senators here getting their paycheck, going to fancy restaurants paid for by lobby--steak dinners paid for by lobbyists, yucking it up, drinking expensive wine while your employees--future employees at TSA had to go to food banks. That's the state of politics in America today where we with one breath hear this idea of let's stand up for workers, let's give them all these rights, and yet have no problem not giving them a paycheck. The Democrat Party that once cared about workers is dead. That party no longer exists. It was proven not once, not twice, but soon to be a third time because what you haven't heard from any of my Democrat colleagues and you won't hear from my Democrat colleagues is that they absolutely will not allow the government to shut down. You will not hear from one Democrat member of this committee or anywhere in the U.S. Senate where they will out--with their voice say, ``We will not under any circumstance shut down the U.S. Government.'' You will not hear them say that because it is their political ploy where they think that a government shutdown helps them because they have CNN anchors that blame the shutdown on Republicans saying, ``Well, you guys are in charge.'' In fact, in this committee, we had a member of this committee say, ``You guys are in charge. The shutdown's not our fault.'' Of course, they know that the process here requires 60 votes, which means they know that we need Democrat votes in order to keep the government open. They could today, right now say, ``We will support a continuing resolution so we keep the budget the same through and past the election cycle to prevent a government shutdown.'' They won't say that because they know that they prefer the political tool. Godspeed to you as you become our nominee--our TSA administrator, pass this nomination process. But I worry about you and your fellow employees, who are going to go through this political torture inflicted upon you by Democrats because they care more about political power than they care about American citizens. They care more about illegals and protecting those cities that keep and harbor these illegals than the Americans who wake up every day to protect us. So, God bless you as you become our TSA administrator. I know you'll do an amazing job, and just know that here, we will fight like heck to make certain that Democrats don't do again what they've done twice already this year. The Chairman. Well said, Senator Moreno, and I will point out that Senate Democrats are more than welcome to co-sponsor and to support the Keep America Flying Act. It is bipartisan right now. Two Democrats, Senator Gallego and Senator Warnock, have co-sponsored it already, but I would invite Senator Kim and every member of this committee to co-sponsor it as well. I'd like to see the Senate pass it so we can tell our TSA agents never again, regardless of which party is in the majority, never again will you have your paychecks held because of a shutdown, and I would invite every Democrat and every Republican to co-sponsor that. Senator Blackburn. STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN, U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and adding to those comments, my concern is that the Democrat side of the dais is completely empty because they don't want to have to admit they did this shutdown, they used TSA employees as pawns through this process, and they are not willing to take that off the table, which I think is absolutely horrific. They continue to use TSA as pawns because they feel like this inflicts pain and that the public can see it, and it is absolutely so disgusting. Congratulations to you on your nomination, and I do want to talk with you a little bit about some of the TSA reforms that are taking place. I know that the President and Secretary Duffy are pushing to move us toward a golden age of travel where it's frictionless. The check-in is easy. The movement to the gate, the scheduling of the planes, we're looking forward to that. So, touch on what you look forward to doing as we look at these reforms? Mr. Cummins. Thank you, Senator, and I want to affirm what you said about our workers and keeping them paid. I want to be clear that the 55,000 TSOs are the lifeblood of the Agency, and there's talk about cyberattacks, talking about privatization. They are the center of gravity, and we're always going to protect them. Senator Blackburn. Great. Mr. Cummins. As it relates to technology--thank you for that question--we have only just begun the modernization of the security checkpoints. But I'm really excited about the opportunity to roll out some of these new 3D baggage scanners and roll out these new body scanners that don't require to lift your arms in the air that are in both cases much, much more secure and efficient than the legacy technology. We're exploring other technologies around e-gates. We're exploring technologies that may allow us to bring water bottles again through checkpoints, and so I'm encouraged. I've been able to go to the Technology Center over by National Airport and see the process that we're going through to certify this technology to make sure it is indeed secure. One thing I want to point out as you talked about the friction of travel, we believe that the pain point isn't necessarily the fact that you have to wait in line at security. We all have to wait in line for various things. When we go to the grocery store, we expect that we're going to have to wait in line. The pain point is you don't know how long the wait's going to be. And so, we would like to roll out technology that'll be able to predict what the wait times will be when you arrive at the airport in two hours---- Senator Blackburn. Yes. Mr. Cummins.--and be able to push that information out to you maybe via your boarding pass, or a Google Maps or Apple Maps, or via Uber. And so, we would like to kind of take the surprise out of travel. We all hate when we're rounding the check-in line and we see, oh my goodness, look how long the standard line is or how long the pre-check line is. That surprise is painful because you're not sure if you can still make your flight. There's all that anxiety. Senator Blackburn. I want to ask you about that because McGhee Tyson Airport in Tennessee has grown 18.6 percent. That was the growth in 2024. Flight service, the growth in Tennessee, all of our airports are growing. They're trying to extend runways. As they're extending runways, what you're seeing is an extension of these wait times---- Mr. Cummins. Yes. Senator Blackburn.--at the airport. And we secured a grant for McGhee Tyson to expand their TSA security checkpoint, but we're getting calls regularly that at the Knoxville Airport, the wait times to get through TSA are two hours---- Mr. Cummins. Hmm. Senator Blackburn.--and we've increased some flights with Allegiant and Southwest there. And there has been--well, part-- we've got two of the lines that are down because the scanners are broken, things of that nature. And we need your attention on this issue in order to make certain, first of all, we've got technicians doing the repairs, but second, we're looking at these travel loads, and we are going to be properly staffed in order to meet that load. Will you commit to working with us on that? Mr. Cummins. Yes. If confirmed, I absolutely will commit to working with you, and I'd love to visit those airports and look firsthand at the challenges. Senator Blackburn. Come on down. Greatest state in the USA. We'd love to have you. Mr. Cummins. Thank you. Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Fischer. STATEMENT OF HON. DEB FISCHER, U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA Senator Fischer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Cummins, thank you for your willingness to serve in this position. It's a--it's a difficult one, and it has so much public attention to it, so I have hopes that you're going to be able to solve some of these issues that we've been faced with. One of our many airports in Nebraska, the North Platte Regional Airport, is set to open a new terminal building later this summer. And though they have run into some challenges at times with TSA, they have stated that the local TSA office in Omaha has been really great to work with, and they appreciate their continued cooperation. As they make this transition to the new terminal, I would like to see that continued cooperation between North Platte and TSA. So, if you are confirmed, will you commit to working with me to ensure that there is a successful transition of TSA's operation to that new terminal? Mr. Cummins. Yes, I will. Senator Fischer. Thank you. As you know, TSA is tasked with not only addressing security in our airports, but surface transportation threats as well. Historically, TSA has spent approximately 2 to 3 percent of its budget on surface transportation programs. For example, TSA has issued multiple security directives on pipeline cybersecurity following the 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, including a directive that requires performance-based cybersecurity measures for pipeline operators. How do you believe that the Agency can better use its resources to address ongoing threats to our surface transportation systems? Mr. Cummins. Thank you, Senator Fischer. As you know, I've spent many years working on highway safety. And whether it's commercial trucking safety, whether it's motorist assist for passengers--vehicles, rather--that that break down helping the passengers and maybe filling up fuel, changing tires, all of that it's--I've been working with for many years now. And you're right to point out that the TSA's mission has probably been too focused just on aviation, maybe at the expense of other modes of transportation as well as pipelines. Senator Fischer. Mm-hmm. Mr. Cummins. And so, I want to work closely with this committee as we think about how we can work with industry and this committee to better put a--in place a regulatory environment that makes our highways, for example, more safe and secure. There are new emerging threats. We're seeing what drones, for example, can do on highways in Ukraine, and so we need to always be vigilant staying ahead of these emerging threats. Senator Fischer. Do you support the continued use of that performance-based approach to cybersecurity oversight going forward? Are you aware---- Mr. Cummins. I do. Senator Fischer.--of how that works? Mr. Cummins. Yes, and I--and I'm aware that we've been a bit negligent in putting in place the regulatory environment around cybersecurity, particularly for the pipelines since the--since it was first issued after the Colonial cyberattack. And so, I do commit to this committee that I want to see that through to resolution very quickly. Senator Fischer. You had mentioned drones, and we saw a few weeks ago that JetBlue Airways pilot, he reported striking a drone while the aircraft was on approach to the JFK airport. Thankfully, the plane landed safely, and the incident is still under investigation. According to the FAA, it receives more than 100 reports each month of drone sightings near airports. So, while the TSA is working with the FAA to undertake new efforts to address these concerns, what additional steps do you think the Agency can undertake to ensure the safety of the flying public? Mr. Cummins. I was surprised to learn these last 3 weeks that the Federal air marshals of the TSA have been working for years on counter-UAS or counter-drone interception. In fact, they have been working the FIFA World Cup events and helped intercept, so far, 600 drones in collaboration with the FBI, and Secret Service, and local law enforcement. So, we already have this capability, but to your point, it needs to be invested in, and it needs to cover the totality of all of our airports. And so, we have been in active discussions--DHS has been with OMB and the White House--to see about how we can utilize some of the funding to increase our C-UAS efforts, and we really think now it's become a core part of our mission at TSA. It's not just about screening and making sure people don't get on planes with bad intentions, but also we have to be careful not just about bad actors with drones, but also hobbyists that are negligent and do something to do what I think happened with this JetBlue incident in Newark. Senator Fischer. In your comments, you mentioned your excitement in looking at the next-generation screening equipment and the possibilities that exist there and better detection, moving the public through this faster. How would you attempt to not only accelerate that screening modernization, but positions TSA to better equip--be better equipped to deploy those new technologies? Mr. Cummins. Well, we're thankful to this Congress for funding our Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget which give--gives us a big boost that we haven't had for many years, and we're looking forward to the prospect of that continuing Fiscal Year 2027 as well. We really do have the opportunity to put in this technology, and, to be clear, this is mostly about improved security, and the good thing is, with this new technology, you'll also get improved throughput. The bags go through quicker, the people go through quicker, and our checkpoints become more secure, and the travelers, of course, are delighted by that prospect as well. So, I look forward to working with this committee to demonstrate some of this new technology to you all and so you can see with your own eyes the benefits from it. Senator Fischer. I recently had a tour of the construction that's going on at the Omaha Airport. They're doing a major build and remodel and got behind the scenes with the new baggage system there. It is really something. Hopefully, we can get you to an airport in Nebraska and be able to see some of this. Mr. Cummins. I look forward to it. Senator Fischer. Great. Thank you. Mr. Cummins. Thank you, Senator. The Chairman. Thank you, and Senator Peters has agreed to let Senator Hickenlooper go ahead of him, so Senator Hickenlooper. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER, U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chair, appreciate that, and thank you, Mr. Cummins, for being here and taking on this challenge. I wanted to go back over--I was--didn't quite to hear everything, and ask you a little question about the issues on sanctuary cities. Before that, how many--how many drones did you say you intercepted during FIFA? Mr. Cummins. It was a collaborative effort, but 600 drones have been intercepted so far. Senator Hickenlooper. That's remarkable. And how many of those were, like, news gathering, how many were amateurs screwing around, or how many potentially malevolent? Mr. Cummins. I can't speak to the percentage that might be potentially malevolent. I do know there were arrests that were made, but I would say the vast majority were maybe Instagrammers and folks that wanted to get a view of what was happening in the stadiums. Senator Hickenlooper. Right, but still dangerous, obviously---- Mr. Cummins. Absolutely dangerous. Senator Hickenlooper.--as you clearly point out. And you've all--I'm not sure I quite understood your answer that, you know, when Secretary Mullen told Sean Hannity that the Department of Homeland Security was--I think the phrase used was drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at airports, and remove Customs officers from international airports in so-called sanctuary cities. Have you discussed these plans with Secretary Mullen? Have you talked to the--to Commissioner Scott about this? Mr. Cummins. I have not. Senator Hickenlooper. And I'm sure you're aware that there's no accepted definition of what a sanctuary city is. It's hotly debated by those cities and various cities about what it--which definition there is. I would argue that, you know, our air traffic system, both in terms of, you know, tourism and casual travelers, but also the business, the cargo, that is a network that's very interdependent. And I think diminishing in any way the services that one city gets compared to another city would actually affect the whole. Do you understand what I'm saying? Mr. Cummins. I do. Senator Hickenlooper. And you--would you agree to that? Mr. Cummins. Well, I would say that if we do reach the point where we're going to partially or completely reduce services at sanctuary city airports, I look forward to coming and meeting with this committee and explain the ramifications of that. I understand it can be significant, but as far as I know, there are no near-term plans to do that. I've not been informed or read in on any plans to do that by Secretary Mullen. Senator Hickenlooper. OK. So, you would--definitely you commit to coming here and making sure that we all agree on what the definition is and what it is we would be sanctioning? Mr. Cummins. I agree to come back and inform this committee what we plan to do. Senator Hickenlooper. Right. Also, in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, there is an expansion of the Screening Partnership Program, which, you know, allows airports to privatize screeners. I don't know how many you have, 4,000 or 4,500 positions. Would these private screeners provide their employees with comparable benefits, comparable pay? Mr. Cummins. Yes. In fact, the pay--I was at an SPP airport last week in Kansas City Airport, and they are actually paying their entry-level TSOs higher than we are paying them as Federal employees. Senator Hickenlooper. Great. Mr. Cummins. And from a benefits standpoint, from what I-- I've seen, it's very comparable. Obviously, I come from the private sector. I've had air traffic controllers, hundreds of them, underneath me. They weren't paid as much as Federal air traffic controllers, but very good benefits, and they stayed with us, in some cases, for 20, 25 years. They liked the flexibility of working in the private sector. We can move them around to different airports. And so, I guess I just want you to know that we're not--as we expand the SPP program, which we fully intend to do, the existing employees have the right of first refusal to take those jobs, and in our experience, all of them take the jobs and they stay there. Senator Hickenlooper. So, the real difference, though, is that they don't--they give up their collective bargaining. I mean, that's the question long term, and I think there are a lot of examples out there, whether it's auto workers or wherever, that over a long term, collective bargaining allows workers, the people actually doing the work, to be more fairly compensated or be compensated at a higher level. Mr. Cummins. I understand how unionization works. I am not anti-union. As I mentioned, I've had union workers under me for many years, but I will say, as it relates to this particular CBA, I don't think there's any material compensation language or difference than in the SPP airports. It's all around bidding on shifts, trading shifts, and the like. Senator Hickenlooper. Right. Mr. Cummins. So, I don't--I disagree with the premise that they will be paid less. I do---- Senator Hickenlooper. You're saying--but we're talking about long term. I understand now that the wage--this often happens. The wage is carefully gradated now so it'll match the existing wages, I get that, but that's--I'm talking about long term without--if you--if they're giving up collective bargaining, most people believe that, over time, that will cost them wages. Mr. Cummins. I can't speak for how the SPP wages have evolved over the last 25 years that they've been in place. I can look into that for you and get back to you on that. My understanding, though, is that you do not sacrifice your rights to a collective bargaining agreement as you work for a private company. I had CBA employees under me. In fact, one of the SPP airports, the one in San Francisco, has a CBA in place. Senator Hickenlooper. Right. Mr. Cummins. So, they don't give up the right to a CBA, but you're right. They may take some time and decide later if they want to do it or not. Our premise is that CBAs restrict our ability to flex with demand, which is incumbent upon us as a National Security Agency. Senator Hickenlooper. I hear that. All right. I'm out of time, but at some point, we'll continue the discussion. Thank you. The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Peters. STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS, U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Cummins, good to have you here today. Thank you for coming by the office earlier to talk about a number of issues. Sir, in January, Acting Administrator McNeill acknowledged TSA's information sharing with ICE during a hearing, but despite that testimony and ongoing requests from my Homeland Security staff, TSA has either been unable or unwilling to provide details or a briefing about what information is actually being shared. So, my question for you, sir, is, if confirmed, do I have your commitment to provide my staff with this information? Mr. Cummins. After you asked that question yesterday, I went back and talked to my colleagues at DHS, and we're going to work to get back to you at the soonest on that request. Senator Peters. With that information, you'll provide. Mr. Cummins. I---- Senator Peters. ``Getting back'' is saying ``we can't give you information.'' That's the--I don't qualify that as getting back. Mr. Cummins. Right, right. That's fair. We need--we need to be responsive and transparent with you. I don't know the specifics of what was asked, but we will try to provide as much as we can within our bounds. Senator Peters. OK. Well, I appreciate working with you on that if confirmed. Mr. Cummins, as we also discussed in my office, I have long been concerned on how we balance national security with civil liberties when it comes to watch lists and screening. We certainly must protect air travel--that's first and foremost--but we also have to do it in a smart and an effective way. When I was Chairman of Homeland Security and Government Affairs, I put out a report describing the system and some of its challenges, including the broken redress process. It's easy to get on a list, it's really hard to get off of a list, and if you've been wrongly put on that list, you should have that opportunity to make that happen. Since then, however, there have been reports that individuals who participate in First Amendment protest activities, like protests, are receiving additional screening and sometimes losing their trusted traveler status because they're involved in protests, which, as you know, are protected by First Amendment. So, my question for you, sir, is if confirmed, will you commit to work with me and my staff to address watchlisting screening and vetting redress process? Mr. Cummins. Yes. I thank you for the question and making me aware of that. I didn't understand how protracted and difficult it could be to work with that redress system that we have in place, and I look forward to working with your--you and your committee on that. Senator Peters. Great. Thank you. Mr. Cummins, creating a seamless travel experience is certainly an objective that we all want to achieve, but it has also raised serious concerns from privacy experts and many Members of Congress about how Americans' biometric data will be used, shared, and stored. So, I want to give you a few more commitments to make and kind of get your sense of where we are on this. First, will you commit today to ensuring that Americans will be able to opt out of sharing their biometrics for identity verification and that they will not be penalized in any way for making that choice? Mr. Cummins. Yes, that's the TSA's current policy, and it will be the future policy under me. Senator Peters. Will you commit that there will be no changes to the storage of biometric data without TSA first providing Congress with clear information about these changes and, more importantly, why they are actually needed? Mr. Cummins. Yes, I do commit to do that. Senator Peters. Great. Will you commit that TSA will not use its technology to passively collect biometric information? Mr. Cummins. The passengers wouldn't be aware that we're collecting their biometric data. Is that what you mean by passively? Senator Peters. Yes. Mm-hmm. Mr. Cummins. Yes. This is an opt-in program, and so we want to make sure that Americans know when their biometric information is required and how they have alternatives they can pursue instead. Senator Peters. And finally, will you commit to ensuring that all TSA employees and contractors who use biometric capture and recognition technologies are properly trained to implement these commitments that you have just made to me? Mr. Cummins. Absolutely. That's very important. Senator Peters. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Fetterman. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN FETTERMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA Senator Fetterman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. OK. So, I think as--I believe I'm the last, and I'm the closing. So, I'm just-- it's going to be more just kind of statements more than, like, specific kind of questions. Now, TSA workers have missed five full paychecks in the last year because of our government shutdowns, and now we had TSA agents sleeping in their cars and donating plasma just to stay afloat. In Pittsburgh, the airport had to open up a food pantry for TSA offices and their families. And you could confirm or deny this, but 1,300 TSA agents quit during the 43 shutdown last fall, and another 1,100 quit during the 70-day-6 partial shutdown. Does that sound accurate? Mr. Cummins. Those figures are correct. Senator Fetterman. So, that's profound. What percentage of your workforce, roughly, the percentages of the people that left? Mr. Cummins. It was less than 10 percent, Senator Fetterman, but it was substantial inasmuch as we also lost a lot of highly tenured folks. And we are--also struggled for quite a while in replacing them because people just, frankly, didn't want to come work for an Agency that wouldn't pay them. Senator Fetterman. I mean, I--if you could poll the room here, how many people would work if you weren't paid for that? Any hands? [No response.] Senator Fetterman. None up for people. So, overall now, in Pennsylvania, we lost almost--just close to 200 TSA agents for that. What's the average salary for a TSA agent? Mr. Cummins. Approximately $65,000, sir. Senator Fetterman. Sixty-five thousand dollars. They probably have yachts, right, and vacation homes, right? Mr. Cummins. No. Many times, particularly the starting salary workers are living paycheck by paycheck. Senator Fetterman. Yes, exactly. Now, as a Democrat, you know, if--we fight for working people. So, for second times, you know, I became the only Democrat to refuse to join the party and shut down our government, and that's clearly--is it fair to say that, especially the TSA agents were forced to work, that was very difficult? Is that--is that a fair statement? Mr. Cummins. It was extraordinarily difficult, and I want to say how very proud I am that very few airports had call- outs, and people were coming to work for those few months without pay, which is an extraordinary sacrifice for our country, and I'm so very proud of them. Senator Fetterman. Yes. I mean, I think--I think all of us, most of us here in the Senate, we travel every week of the year, and without--every time wherever I happen to be in the country at the airport, at least, you know, one or two TSA agents will appreciate, you know, that, you know, my stand on this, and I'm bringing up again after what this has put them through. Now, there's now conversations about now there might be another shutdown, so--and so that would have been three shutdowns and punishing the kinds of people that allow, you know, airline travel possible and now for the party that stands for our working people. Now, those shutdowns, my recollection, we didn't bring any changes in ICE, and we didn't bring any healthcare for those shutdowns. So, that proves what I've always maintained, that during a shutdown, the only losers are American public, and especially the kinds of people like the TSA agents. So, I do hope--I do hope that we have learned our lesson, and for when that third time is coming up, I will be at least that one Democrat that refuses to plunge these people into this kinds of--kinds of chaos and deprivation. OK. Thank you, Chairman. The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Fetterman. Mr. Cummins, I want to ask a couple more questions. The proliferation of drones presents an opportunity to revolutionize how goods are transported, but it also presents new threats. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the FAA to establish regulations for drones to operate beyond visual line of sight. The TSA, in its portion of the proposed rule released last year, called for security requirements on drones that industry claims mirror those imposed on cargo airlines. I'm concerned that the TSA's proposed drone framework is at odds with the actual drone operations it would regulate. Will you commit to working with industry stakeholders to fully understand their operations before imposing a security regime that may not fit the perceived threat? Mr. Cummins. I do commit, and I want to affirm that the future of package delivery is going to be with drones, and the TSA needs to have a regulatory environment that doesn't hinder that efficiency. The Chairman. It's also important that the use of technologies to mitigate drones is used responsibly so we avoid incidents like we saw in El Paso, Texas, earlier this year when the Department of War reportedly deployed a high-energy laser on a drone without FAA approval. Will you commit to working with the FAA on the deployment and use of counter-drone technologies? Mr. Cummins. Yes, I do, and we are actively working with them now, and to be clear, we are not using kinetic energy drones at this point. The Chairman. Mr. Cummins, my final question is required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to work collaboratively with this committee to provide thorough and timely responses to the Committee's requests and to appear before the Committee when requested? Mr. Cummins. I will. The Chairman. Thank you. Senators will have until the close of business on July 17 to submit questions for the record. The nominee will have until the close of business on July 20 to respond to those questions. And that concludes today's hearing. The Committee stands adjourned. [Whereupon, at 11:06 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] A P P E N D I X Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to David Cummins Question 1. TSA has invested heavily in next-generation screening technologies, including scanners and credential authentication systems. a. How will you ensure that regional airports, including those in Mississippi, are included in the deployment of these technologies, ensuring Mississippians have a secure and efficient passenger experience? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that rural airports are not left behind as TSA modernizes its security technology. Decisions regarding technology deployment should be informed by risk, operational requirements, passenger volume, and the greatest security benefit. That means our largest airports may have different needs than smaller airports, but it does not mean smaller or rural airports are any less important. If confirmed, I will work to ensure TSA maintains a thoughtful modernization strategy that provides appropriate security capabilities across the entire aviation system, including rural airports, while engaging closely with Congress, airport operators, and local stakeholders to understand their unique needs. Question 2. While TSA is best known for aviation security, the agency is also responsible for securing our freight rail network, passenger rail systems, and pipelines. a. As our transportation infrastructure continues to grow and become more interconnected, what are your priorities for strengthening TSA's surface transportation mission without sacrificing efficiency? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to prioritizing the security of our freight rail network, passenger rail systems, and pipelines. The importance of these missions is not lost on me, and I will work closely with this committee and industry stakeholders to ensure that TSA's surface transportation mission is met without sacrificing efficiency. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Dan Sullivan to David Cummins 1. Ensuring Consistent Application of Federal Firearm Transportation Regulations Alaskans frequently travel with firearms for hunting, subsistence activities, sport shooting, and personal protection. Because many communities are accessible only by air, Alaska travelers often rely on commercial aviation while transporting firearms in compliance with Federal law. A recent case involving an Alaska constituent traveling through Spokane International Airport highlighted concerns regarding inconsistencies in TSA firearm screening procedures. He declared an unloaded firearm in a locked hard-sided case, as required by Federal regulations. Because the firearm case was too large for the airport's inline baggage screening system, TSA officers conducted a physical inspection and required the passenger to surrender the key to the firearm case so it could be opened and inspected in a separate area inaccessible to the passenger. TSA later stated that the procedure complied with agency policy due to the airport's layout constraints. This case raises questions about the consistent application of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Sec. 1540.111(c)(2)), which requires that a firearm be transported in a locked container and that ``only the passenger retains the key or combination.'' While TSA guidance states that personnel may request a key to inspect a firearm container, the regulation itself emphasizes passenger control of the key and does not explicitly address inspections conducted outside the passenger's presence. The incident has raised concerns about whether firearm screening procedures are being applied consistently nationwide and whether travelers can expect the same treatment regardless of where they fly. a. If confirmed, how will you ensure that TSA firearm screening procedures are applied consistently across all airports and that Transportation Security Officers receive clear, standardized guidance on compliance with Federal firearm transportation regulations? Answer. Passengers deserve clear, consistent, and predictable procedures, regardless of which airport they are traveling through. TSA should enforce its Federal firearm screening procedures uniformly at airports nationwide. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with the Committee and your office to ensure that passengers traveling with firearms can more easily understand what is expected of them before they arrive at the airport and what the procedures they will experience during screening and their travel. b. Additionally, what steps would you take to strengthen training and oversight to ensure TSA personnel are implementing these policies uniformly nationwide? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this matter and ensuring all proper training and oversight. 2. Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Program Mr. Cummins, I'd like to ask you about the Federal Flight Deck Officer program, which was created by Congress after the 9/11 attacks. The FFDO program allows trained commercial pilots to volunteer as a last line of defense and to carry a firearm in the flight deck to deter against air piracy, terrorism, or other threats. The FFDO program works in coordination with the Federal Air Marshals Service to provide a critical additional layer of security for our aviation system. Today, the FFDO budget is approximately $27 million, about the same as it was when the program was first established more than 20 years ago. More than 1 million FFDO missions will occur this calendar year, and because pilots volunteer for this program, it remains very cost effective (approximately $27 per FFDO mission flown). Currently, there is a large waitlist of more than 2,000 pilots seeking to join the program, but the TSA vetting and training process can take almost two years. I understand that TSA is seeking to address the backlog, and one of the proposals is to create a new initial training facility for the FFDO program at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey, which would be co-located with existing Federal law enforcement facilities. This would improve FFDO training throughput and instructor availability. a. If confirmed as Administrator, will you support the FFDO program and ensure it has adequate resources to carry out its mission? Answer. Yes. b. Can you commit to working with Congress to address the FFDO applicant backlog, including a dedicated FFDO training facility, and to report back to this Committee on potential next steps? Answer. Yes. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cynthia Lummis to David Cummins Question 1. Wyoming's wide-open spaces make our state a natural place to test and deploy beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations, including rural delivery. I understand FAA is the lead agency for BVLOS operations, but TSA's security requirements, including security threat assessments and security programs, could affect whether these operations are workable for small and rural operators. a. Please describe how TSA, under your leadership, would ensure that any BVLOS-related security requirements are risk-based, tailored to the actual operation, and coordinated with FAA and rural stakeholders. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with industry to understand commercial operations when developing any regulations impacting this space. Question 2. The FY 2027 President's budget proposal would require smaller Category III and IV airports to transition into the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). Multiple Wyoming commercial service airports could be affected. There are concerns that a forced transition to SPP would not solve current staffing challenges and could increase costs in rural labor markets where airport employers must compete with higher- paying industries. a. Please describe how TSA would determine whether transitioning a small or rural airport into SPP is appropriate, particularly when an airport does not support such a transition. In your answer, please address how TSA would account for local labor-market conditions, recruitment challenges, airport operational continuity, passenger experience, and total program costs. Answer. TSA does not determine which airports participate in SPP. All of the aforementioned considerations are critically important, but it would be for the airport to consider them and whether or not participating in SPP is the right choice for them. Category III and IV airports are particularly vulnerable to severe consequences of government shutdowns as just a handful of unscheduled callouts would likely lead to canceled flights and closed airports. Converting these airports to SPP goes a long way in insulating these airports from that risk. While the SPP program is currently optional, I support the President's proposal. Question 3. Wyoming airports cannot be left at the back of the line when TSA deploys new screening technology. For small and rural airports, modern equipment is not just about convenience; it is about national security, reliability, and keeping air service viable. a. If confirmed, what will you do to make sure rural airports like those in Wyoming receive timely deployment of updated screening equipment? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that rural airports are not left behind as TSA modernizes its security technology. Decisions regarding technology deployment should be informed by risk, operational requirements, passenger volume, and the greatest security benefit. That means our largest airports may have different needs than smaller airports, but it does not mean smaller or rural airports are any less important. If confirmed, I will work to ensure TSA maintains a thoughtful modernization strategy that provides appropriate security capabilities across the entire aviation system, including rural airports, while engaging closely with Congress, airport operators, and local stakeholders to understand their unique needs. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to David Cummins 1. Privatization of TSA Screening Workforce The President's 2027 budget request proposes cutting TSA personnel funding and directing our smallest commercial facilities (Category 3 and 4) to privatize screening by enrolling in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) and initiatives like TSA Gold Plus. The SPP was created as a voluntary ``opt-in'' safety program and current law does not give TSA the authority to mandate privatization across entire categories of airports. Question 1. Do you agree with the President's FY 2027 budget proposal to require all Category III and IV airports to privatize screening by enrolling in the Screening Partnership Program, or should that participation remain voluntary under current law? Answer. I support the FY 2027 President's Budget Request and the expansion of the Screening Partnership Program. Under current law, SPP is an opt-in program, and TSA does not have the statutory authority to require airport participation. If confirmed, I will administer the program consistent with existing law. Proponents of privatization argue that pushing small airports into SPP and TSA Gold Plus will reduce costs and improve efficiency. On the other hand, critics warn it could weaken accountability, lower wages and move us back to the lowest-bidder model that existed prior to 9/11. Question 2. Where do you come down on that trade-off and what evidence would you rely on to support your position? Answer. Congress established the Screening Partnership Program in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, requiring SPP airports to meet or exceed security standards of federally staffed airports. I support the FY 2027 President's Budget Request and the expansion of SPP. Under current law, SPP remains an opt-in program, and TSA does not have the statutory authority to require airport participation. If confirmed, I will administer the program consistent with existing law. 2. TSA Security Worker's Rights to Unionize Under this administration, TSA screeners have seen their collective bargaining rights effectively gutted. If the President's budget proposal to largely privatize TSA's screeners happens, these workers would no longer be Federal employees, but that does not mean they would lose the right to organize. Most private sector workers are covered by the National Labor Relations Act, which guarantees the right to form unions and bargain collectively with their private employers. If TSA's screening workforce becomes privatized, many would fall squarely under the NLRA and retain these basic labor rights. I want to understand whether you support these rights and how they relate to TSA's core mission of safety and security. Question 1. Yes or No: Do you support the TSA workforce's existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to remain in place and in full effect? Answer. No, but I will abide by all court orders. Question 2. Yes or No: If TSA screening functions are privatized and performed by private contractors, do you agree that those workers should retain a lawful path to unionize and bargain collectively under Federal law? Answer. Aviation security is a unique zero-fail national security mission, which requires the ability to flex on demand. CBAs can restrict that ability. I will work with airports to find the best solution that fits their needs. Today, some SPP airports, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), have collective bargaining agreements in place. Question 3. Yes or No: If airports opt in to privatization overseen by TSA, do you commit to NOT oppose efforts by privatized screening personnel to secure union representation under the NLRA? Answer. I will abide by the law and court orders. Evidence from a period when TSA expanded collective bargaining rights for Federal screeners showed that attrition dropped and retention improved, which worker advocates argue strengthened security by keeping experienced officers on the job. Question 4. If you oppose allowing a privatized screening workforce to unionize, what is your alternative plan to maintain morale, reduce turnover, and ensure a stable, highly trained workforce? Answer. Morale has been hurt most by the recent government shutdowns, the fact that TSOs were not paid, and concerns about another shutdown in October. As seen in recent shutdowns, SPP airports were more resilient and insulated from the politics of government shutdowns. Screeners at SPP airports were not forced to go to food banks, sell their blood and plasma, or get evicted from their homes. Not paying TSOs is a national security vulnerability. Under the NLRA, millions of workers in critical industries like manufacturing, health care, and logistics have organized unions while maintaining safe, high-performing operations. Question 5. Can you explain how a legal framework that supports bargaining and dispute resolution would undermine, rather than reinforce, TSA's mission to safeguard our transportation systems? Answer. TSA has a critical, unique zero-fail national security mission, which requires the ability to flex on demand. CBAs can restrict that ability. This includes pulling approximately 200 TSA frontline security personnel, equivalent to twenty lanes, off the frontlines to perform union-related functions. If confirmed, I commit to working with airports to find the best solution that fits their needs. 3. Pipeline Cybersecurity Rulemaking In May 2021, a cyberattack forced the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies the East Coast with 45 percent of its fuel, to shut down for six days. In response, TSA issued and has repeatedly renewed security directives to ensure critical pipeline operators complied with cyber security standards. In 2024, TSA proposed a rulemaking that would replace those security directives. Question 1. Do you believe that there are continued cyber security threats to pipelines and railroads? Answer. Yes. Question 2. If confirmed, do you commit to quickly issuing a final rule on ``Enhancing Surface Cyber Risk Management'' to prevent cyber- attacks like the attack against the Colonial Pipeline? Answer. Cybersecurity is a critical component to transportation security. If confirmed, I commit to working with this Committee to ensure TSA is raising the cybersecurity baseline for pipeline infrastructure while also providing long-term regulatory certainty. 4. Authorities for President's Budget Proposal Under current law, airports may apply to join the Screening Partnership Program, and TSA may approve or deny those applications based on security and cost-effectiveness. The President's budget proposal attempts to mandate all Category III and IV airports to privatize screening by enrolling in this, but Congress has not authorized TSA to do so. Question 1. Do you believe TSA currently has the statutory authority to require entire classes of airports to privatize, as contemplated in the president's budget? Why or why not? Answer. Under current law, the Screening Partnership Program is an opt-in program, and TSA does not have the statutory authority to require airport participation. If confirmed, I will administer the program consistent with existing law. Question 2. Will you commit to implementing the Screening Partnership Program under existing law, unless Congress explicitly authorizes TSA to require airport participation? Answer. If confirmed, I will administer the Screening Partnership Program consistent with existing law. 5. Strong Compensation for TSA Workforce Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have stood on the frontlines keeping the flying public safe and the economy moving through multiple shutdowns and growing air travel demand. Fostering healthy morale means ensuring hardworking frontline workers are valued through strong compensation, however, TSA is not covered under Title 5's General Schedule (GS) pay system. This means TSOs lack pay parity, merit system protections, and bargaining rights afforded to many other Federal employees. Question 1. Yes or No: Do you agree that better compensation for frontline TSA workers will improve the agency's ability to recruit and retain personnel? Answer. Ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay, as in the recent government shutdowns, will improve the agency's ability to recruit and retain personnel. Question 2. Yes or No: Do you commit to supporting higher wages and compensation for the TSA workforce at levels equal to that of many other Federal workers on the General Schedule? Answer. TSA has a critical national security mission, and the workforce should be paid commensurate with their Federal government counterparts. Ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay, as in the recent government shutdowns, is my primary personnel concern for the TSA workforce. Question 3. If you do not support equal pay for TSA with the General Schedule, can you explain how TSA operating with a separate pay system is better for morale, recruitment, and retention? Answer. Ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay, as in the recent government shutdowns, is my primary personnel concern for the TSA workforce. 6. Closing the Charter/Commuter TSA Security Loophole In 1995 the FAA adopted the ``One Level of Safety'' principle, requiring scheduled passenger flights of 10 or more seats to operate under Part 121, which provides the highest level of safety and is the framework governing the mainline and regional airlines that Americans rely on every day. Currently, a growing number of operators are providing scheduled commercial on-demand and commuter flights under Part 135 and Part 380, often using similar aircraft and departure rates, while operating from facilities that do not have the same level of TSA screening as scheduled Part 121 airline operations. As a result, these carriers are exploiting a regulatory loophole on the security side as the scale and frequency of these operations begin to look more like traditional commercial airline services. I'm concerned that as more passengers' board flights without being subject to the well-established TSA security standards, this gap undermines the safety and security of our national airspace system. Question 1. Yes or No: Do you acknowledge that allowing operators that structure service under Part 135 or Part 380 to avoid robust aviation security screening requirements while operating with similar departure rates on frequent routes creates an unacceptable disparity in security within the national airspace system? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into it and working with the Committee on it. Question 2. Do you agree that we should not have different TSA security standards for commercial passenger flights? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into it and working with the Committee on it. Question 3. Yes or No: If confirmed, will you commit to working with FAA and this Committee to fully close any regulatory gaps that permit commuter operators to expand scheduled service without corresponding increases in security screening, and to report back to us within 6 months on recommending changes? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into it and working with the Committee on it. 7. Serco's ICE ``Full Training'' Contracts You have spent most of your career in government contracting, including most recently as the Senior Vice President of ``Citizen Services'' at Serco, overseeing all non-defense contracts until April 2026. Until recently, a ``Highlight'' of your division's website included, ``Since 1986 we have provided full training lifecycle support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), training more than 400,000 DHS students in all areas, including 71 days of performance- based training for Special Agents working at Homeland Security Investigations, as well as a 17-week curriculum for new officers in Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).'' According to public, archived records, this ``Highlight'' appeared under the Citizen Services webpage from at least July 2019 to May 2025, as one of four total bullets. Question 1. Mr. Cummins, can you explain why the reference to that ICE training contract was deleted from the page describing ``Citizen Services,'' which you oversaw? Answer. I did not work on or have oversight on these contracts, and do not have insight into the decision to update the website, but I am proud of the work Serco has done over the years to support the DHS's training and development curriculums. Question 2. Was that statement accurate at the time it was published? If not, identify what was inaccurate and when you first became aware it was inaccurate. Answer. I did not work on or have oversight into these contracts, and do not have insight into the decision to update the website. Question 3. As Senior Vice President of Citizen Services from 2020 to 2026, can you describe the extent of your awareness and involvement in the referenced work, including but not limited to approving, managing, or overseeing contracts with ICE? Answer. I did not work on or oversee these contracts. Question 4. Under your tenure, did Serco in fact ever have a contract to provide ``full training lifecycle support'' for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, including but not limited to, curriculum development, live field and tactical instruction, academic classroom facilitation, physical fitness tracking, or post-training metrics? Answer. I did not work on or oversee these contracts. Serco appears to have multiple contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement related to ``operations and support.'' According to USAspending.gov, at least $13.6 million has been obligated to Serco from September 2016 to September 2026 for an ICE ``Enforcement Removal Operations Training Division (EROTD) Contract for Personnel to Support Training in Logistics, Curriculum Development, and Instructional Delivery.'' Question 5. Mr. Cummins, as the head of all non-civilian contracts at Serco until April 2026, can you explain what type of training your company provided for EROTD under your tenure? Answer. I did not work on or oversee these contracts. 8. Collective Bargaining Agreements and National Security On December 12, 2025, TSA announced it would eliminate the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement, citing then-Secretary of Homeland Security Noem's finding of its ``incompatibility with TSA's National Security Mission.'' TSA then illegally moved to dissolve the CBA despite a court order prohibiting it. In response to questions by Senator Peters after a June 17, 2026, hearing, you wrote ``Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)'' can ``interfere with critical national security functions.'' and that the ``2024 CBA limits TSA's ability to rapidly flex staffing in response to demand or emergency.'' Question 1. Can you explain specifically what demands or emergencies TSA would need ``flex staffing'' that the CBA would limit so as to interfere with national security? Answer. TSA has a critical, unique zero-fail national security mission. The CBA in place today impacts the agency's flexibility to scale on demand. The CBA requires shifts to be determined months in advance, making it difficult to adjust shifts based on changes in projected travel volume at an airport. It hinders TSA's ability to be agile and adjust to most efficiently deliver on its mission for the traveling public. The agency's national security mission should not be hindered by a CBA that hamstrings its ability to be flexible and agile. Question 2. If confirmed, will you commit to not take any action to weaken or eliminate the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement, as consistent with Federal court orders? Answer. If confirmed, I will abide by all court orders. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to David Cummins Question 1. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities can severely undermine our economy and our national security. The TSA shares responsibility in ensuring both the physical and cyber security of America's transportation systems. a. If confirmed, how will you bolster the TSA's cybersecurity readiness in the face of growing cyber threats? Answer. I understand the critical cybersecurity threat to the Homeland and our national security. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee to bolster TSA's cybersecurity readiness in the face of growing cyber threats. As the threat continues to evolve, it is imperative that the agency stays ahead of those threats. Question 2. While the 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes this weekend, the U.S. must be ready to host a number of major international sporting events over the next decade, including 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2031 Rugby World Cup. a. If confirmed, how will you work to ensure the success and security for host cities and attendees, while reducing delays for travelers across the transportation system? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee, interagency partners, and industry stakeholders to leverage respective expertise and resources to modernize transportation security to ensure the agency's technology keeps up with the pace of innovation to bolster security, streamline operations, maximize efficiencies, and improve the travel experience. These efforts will be critical to ensure that we are prepared to address the challenges associated with preparing for these events. Question 3. In your testimony, you discussed encouraging the adoption of technology to enhance security. Senator Blackburn and I have introduced the Cargo Security Innovation Act to invest in technology to address cargo theft. a. How can TSA better use technology to enhance security at intermodal hubs? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee to modernize transportation security technology to ensure TSA's air cargo resources and technology enable the agency to keep up with the pace of innovation to stay ahead of the continuously evolving threats to air cargo security. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to David Cummins 1. Collective Bargaining a. Please answer yes or no, do you agree that under current law, as two Federal courts have now ruled, the TSA Administrator does not have the unilateral authority to terminate TSOs collective bargaining agreements? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to following all court orders. b. If confirmed, will you commit to preserving the TSA-AFGE collective bargaining agreement? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to following all court orders. c. Please answer yes or no, will you commit to preserving the TSO pay band structure as currently negotiated in the CBA? Answer. TSA has a critical, unique zero-fail national security mission, and the workforce should be paid commensurate with their Federal government counterparts. Ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay, as in the recent government shutdowns, is my primary personnel concern for the TSA workforce. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee to ensure the TSA workforce gets paid for the critical national security work they perform. TSA personnel should not have to work without being paid. While carrying out such a critical national security mission, the TSA workforce should not face paycheck instability and worry about feeding their families and paying for basic necessities. Ultimately, it is Congress's responsibility to ensure our workforce receives timely and reliable compensation for their vital national security work. 2. Facial Recognition Technology a. Do you agree that biometric screening technologies such as facial comparison technology poses risks to Americans privacy without proper privacy protections? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to TSA's use of biometrics and facial comparison technology, remaining optional, photos being deleted, and abiding by all privacy laws and regulations. b. If confirmed, will you commit to maintaining high privacy standards for all biometric screening technologies including facial comparison technology? Answer. Yes. c. The Algorithmic Justice League published a report evaluating TSA facial comparing technology processes and 91 airports between March 2024--June 2025. The report found that 56 percent of individuals did not have visible opt out information for facial comparison and 74 percent did not receive notice about TSA use of facial comparison technology. If confirmed, will you commit to auditing signage and verbal notice procedures at every airport using facial comparison technology? Answer. Yes. d. The use of facial comparison technology has raised concerns about differential error rates across race, gender, age, and skin tone--concerns documented by NIST's own facial recognition vendor testing. If confirmed, what specific steps will you take to audit TSA's facial recognition systems for demographic performance disparities, including false match and false non-match rates broken out by race, gender, and age? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into the performance of TSA's facial comparison technology. e. Will you commit to publicly disclosing the results of TSA's accuracy and demographic-performance testing, including false-match and false-nonmatch rates? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to being transparent with the Committee and providing all requested information, in accordance with all Sensitive Security Information and Classified Information protocols. f. TSA has stated that photographs captured through Credential Authentication Technology are not retained after identity verification. Will you commit that TSA will not retain, store, or use those photographs for any secondary purpose, including law enforcement, intelligence, immigration enforcement, or commercial purposes? Answer. If confirmed, I commit that the use of Facial Comparison Technology will remain optional, and photos will be deleted. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Gary Peters to David Cummins Question 1. What is your understanding of TSA's role in addressing Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) threats to airports and air travel in the U.S.? If confirmed, how do you plan to engage with the FAA and other relevant Federal agencies to address UAS threats? Answer. In my few weeks at TSA as a Senior Advisor, I was surprised to learn that the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has been working for years on Counter-UAS (C-UAS) efforts. In collaboration with interagency, state, and local partners, over 700 drones were intercepted during the FIFA World Cup. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with the FAA and interagency partners to address UAS threats to protect airports nationwide. Question 2. During your confirmation hearing, you mentioned that 600 drones have so far been intercepted since the start of the FIFA World Cup and that, while you don't know the percentage of those that were malevolent, arrests were made. a. Please detail the circumstances surrounding those arrests, what the individuals arrested have been charged with, and what TSA's role, if any, was in those cases. Answer. TSA defers to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for a response regarding specific cases, arrests, and charges. b. Please describe the role that TSA has played in supporting FIFA World Cup counter-UAS operations, the number of TSA personnel detailed to support those operations, and the number of UAS intercepted by TSA alone since the start of the FIFA World Cup. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the requested information to the Committee. Question 3. During your confirmation hearing, you testified that expanding the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) would not reduce wages or compromise benefits, and that collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) ``restrict our ability to flex with demand, which is incumbent upon us as a national security agency.'' Given that other Federal law enforcement agencies with a national security mission -such as Customs and Border Protection -operate under CBAs, please explain how these agreements restrict TSA's ability to ``flex with demand.'' Answer. TSA has a unique zero-fail national security mission. The CBA in place today impacts the agency's flexibility to scale on demand. The CBA requires shifts to be determined months in advance, making it difficult to adjust shifts based on changes in projected travel volume at an airport. It hinders TSA's ability to be agile and adjust to most efficiently deliver on its mission for the traveling public. The agency's national security mission should not be hindered by a CBA that hamstrings its ability to be flexible and agile. Question 4. During your confirmation hearing, you agreed to work with my staff and me to address our request for information and a briefing regarding TSA's sharing of passenger manifests with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Please provide an update on the status of that request and indicate when my staff can expect the briefing to be scheduled. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with DHS and ICE to brief the Committee. Question 5. During your confirmation hearing, you agreed to work with my staff and me to address the watchlisting screening and vetting redress process. a. Please describe your understanding of TSA's role in the watchlisting screening and vetting system. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to the agency being more transparent and will work with the Committee to exercise its congressional oversight on TSA's watchlisting and vetting programs to ensure they're carried out in full compliance with the law. b. If confirmed, how do you plan to improve the redress process? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to increasing transparency, information sharing, and working closely with the Committee to improving the redress process. c. Do you believe that participating in First Amendment-protected activity should result in additional screening and the potential revocation of Trusted Traveler Program membership? Answer. No. d. If confirmed, will you commit to ensuring that individuals are not stripped of their TSA PreCheck status for engaging in First Amendment-protected activities? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with the Committee on that. Question 6. On August 7, 2025, the FAA and the TSA jointly published a notice of proposed rulemaking titled ``Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations.'' This rule would enable the design and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at low altitudes beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and for third-party services that support these operations including UAS Traffic Management. Congress has repeatedly emphasized that this rule is of critical importance to ensuring the United States remains a leader in the drone industry. While the FAA's portion of the BVLOS final rule is currently under review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), I understand that TSA has revised its portion of the rule from what was in the NPRM and will be publishing it separately. a. If confirmed, and in your current role as a senior advisor at TSA, do you commit to engage and collaborate meaningfully with the U.S. drone industry and consider its input on the final BVLOS rule before TSA sends its portion of the final BVLOS rule to OIRA? Answer. Yes. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to David Cummins Question 1. Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act Implementation The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (BABES) Enhancement Act was signed into law in December 2025, requiring TSA to issue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula or other infant nutrition products. The guidance must be updated every five years. TSA has updated its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for agents, requiring them to change their gloves before handling/screening breast milk and infant formula. TSA has also updated its public-facing website to inform travelers that, should they choose not to have their breast milk screened, other enhanced screening methods may be necessary. However, the primary issue continues to be that Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) need adequate and regular training to faithfully carry out the law. a. Do you agree that robust and repeated training on TSA's BABES Act policy is critically important and that simply updating written policy is insufficient? Answer. Yes. b. Have all TSOs been trained on the policies and procedures that were updated after the BABES Enhancement Act became law? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this. It is my understanding that earlier this year TSA's SOPs were modified in accordance with the BABES Act and that the screening workforce has been briefed on the SOP changes. c. Will you commit to ensuring all new TSOs are trained--and all agents are regularly retrained--on the proper handling of breast milk and other critically important items? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring all TSOs are trained in the proper handling of breastmilk and other critically important items. d. How often will TSOs be trained on the updated policies and procedures stemming from the BABES Act? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the necessary resources to ensure TSOs will be trained in a timely and routine manner on updated policies and procedures stemming from the BABES Act. e. How is TSA collecting performance management data to assess whether TSOs are properly complying with updated TSA guidance; continually monitor feedback from nursing mothers regarding TSO performance in hygienically handling breast milk, baby formula or other infant nutrition products during screening, and equally important, TSO conduct in treating all traveling nursing mothers with dignity and respect. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office with the requested information. It is my understanding that TSA has been working closely with the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee on implementation of the BABES Act. f. What enforcement actions will TSA take if a TSO does not properly handle breast milk, infant formula and other critically important items? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that TSOs not following the proper procedures are held accountable. 2. TSA Cares In 2024, TSA Cares served 69,000 travelers, only 0.008 percent of the 904 million passengers screened by TSA that year, and fewer than 0.3 percent of travelers with disabilities. Mr. Cummins, during our meeting we discussed the importance of increasing marketing and support of the TSA Cares program. a. What is the current annual budget for TSA Cares? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to increase marketing and support of the TSA Cares program. Furthermore, I commit to working collaboratively to find opportunities to work with the Committee and Congress to help amplify and spread the work about TSA Cares to their constituents. b. Please provide a list of services provided by TSA Cares. Answer. It is my understanding that TSA Cares provides information on security procedures aimed at helping passengers in need of additional assistance to prepare for the airport security screening process. Please visit the publicly available TSA Cares website for a detailed list of services here: TSA Cares. c. Please provide data on the use of each type of service available through the TSA Cares program. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office with the requested data on the use of each type of service available through the TSA Cares program. d. How many Full-Time Employees does TSA Cares currently employee? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office the number of employees working on the TSA Cares program. e. Please describe the training for TSA Cares employees and provide relevant training materials. Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office information on TSA Cares employee training and training materials. f. How often are TSA Cares employees trained? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office information on how often TSA Cares employees are trained and I commit to ensure they receive the proper training. g. How does TSA evaluate the effectiveness of the TSA Cares program? Answer. TSA Cares provides information on security procedures aimed at helping passengers with disabilities, medical conditions, and individuals needing additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. It is my understanding TSA works with stakeholders to ensure proper procedures to ensure a smooth and seamless screening experience. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this further and getting back to the Committee and your office on how TSA evaluates the effectiveness of the TSA Cares program. h. What specific performance management metrics does TSA track to monitor the effectiveness of the TSA Cares program? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office with information on the performance, monitoring, and effectiveness of the TSA Cares program. i. Does TSA have a specific, measurable performance goal relating to increasing the percentage of travelers with disabilities served by TSA Cares from less than 0.3 percent to a substantially higher percentage? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this and providing the Committee and your office with information regarding TSA's performance goals for increasing the percentage of travelers with disabilities served by the TSA Cares program. Additionally, if confirmed, I commit to working closely with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to increase marketing and support of the TSA Cares program. Furthermore, if confirmed, I commit to working collaboratively to find opportunities to work with the Committee and Congress to help amplify and spread the word about TSA Cares to their constituents. 3. ``Shoes On'' Policy On July 8, 2025, Secretary Noem rescinded the TSA's decades old policy requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport security screening checkpoints. Just one month later, the DHS Office of Inspector General sent DHS and TSA leadership a Seven-Day Letter explaining that they have concluded an audit of TSA's security screening and found that their machines cannot scan shoes worn on travelers' feet. Despite this, neither DHS nor TSA remedied the security deficiency, or provided a transparent justification and explanation as to why allowing all passengers to keep their shoes on did not pose a security risk. In fact, according to a public report published by The Wall Street Journal, upon receiving the Inspector General's classified final report--rather than contesting its finding or debunking its content, Secretary Noem acted to increase the classification level of the report and ordered that the report never be publicly released. Secretary Noem's reported actions were consistent with a classified report containing alarming findings or information that would cause ``exceptionally grave damage'' to our Nation's national security if released. Yet, after increasing the classification level and blocking its public release, DHS and TSA then blew past the 90-day deadline to provide a management decision with planned corrective actions. In April 2026, I sent a letter to TSA asking that TSA rescind the ``shoes on'' policy until the security vulnerability is addressed. In Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill's May 2026 response, she noted that ``current intelligence and risk assessments indicate no direct, credible threats related to shoes.'' Notably, she did not refuse public reports that certain TSA full body scanner machines are incapable of effectively scanning shoes worn on a traveler's feet. a. Will you commit to reviewing the Inspector General's report (OIG-26-01)? Answer. Yes. b. If TSA's current scanners are unable to scan shoes worn on travelers' feet, will you commit to reversing the ``Shoes On'' policy until the DHS Office of Inspector General closes out its recommendations to TSA? Answer. Currently, I have not been read into all of the details concerning this issue and am not in a position to make specific commitments. c. Will you commit to ensuring any scanners used under the TSA Gold+ program will have the ability to scan shoes worn on travelers' feet? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with Congress, the Committee, and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to modernize and deploy the latest, cutting-edge checkpoint screening technology. d. Please provide detailed justification for why the security classification of the OIG-26-01 report was elevated. Answer. I am not privy to this information. 4. Government Shutdown During your nomination hearing, you were committed to keeping TSOs paid in the event of a lapse in government funding. I agree, our TSOs are hardworking, dedicated employees. During the February 2026 lapse in appropriations for the Homeland Security funding bill, President Trump waited until March 27, 41 days to pay TSOs. Proving that, throughout both government shutdowns, President Trump could have paid TSOs for the entire duration of the lapse in appropriations but chose not to. Several Senators during your nomination hearing focused allegations of Democrats forcing a shutdown. On Monday, President Trump was on Fox and Friends and, in reference to the SAVE Act, said, ``It's so important that Republicans have to do it. Otherwise, we're going to have a shutdown in September.'' Trump also added: ``If you terminate the filibuster, everything goes away. And we do anything we want. We pass everything we want.'' Not only has President Trump showed that he has the authorities he believes necessary to pay TSOs, but the President is threatening a shutdown unless he gets his way. a. If confirmed, do you commit to ensuring that TSA employees will be paid in full and on time in the event of a lapse in appropriations? Answer. TSA has a critical, unique zero-fail national security mission. Ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay, as in the recent government shutdowns, is my primary personnel concern for the TSA workforce. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee to ensure the TSA workforce gets paid for the critical national security work they perform. TSA personnel should not have to work without being paid and be worried about feeding their families and how to pay for basic necessities. This underscores why it is critical that Congress pass appropriations legislation. Biometric Data Sharing Mr. Cummins, in our meeting, you committed to serving with integrity. You emphasized the need to ``not breach the public's trust.'' The TSA Secure Flight Program was created in 2007 to identify passenger information for known or suspected terrorists or other individuals who may be a threat to transportation or national security. The Trump administration has been abusing the TSA Secure Flight Program and sharing data with ICE for civil immigration enforcement actions. There is reporting that Serco, your previous employer where you served as senior vice president, was a partner in training U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. a. Please detail information that is currently being shared between TSA and ICE as it relates to civil immigration enforcement. Answer. I am not read into this, but I do know we operate as One DHS. If confirmed, I will continue to work collaboratively with DHS and our sister components to secure the Homeland and carry out our national security mission. b. Does TSA share information from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) with ICE? Answer. I am not read in on this. c. If yes, what information is shared and under what circumstances? Answer. I am not read in on this. d. Has TSA entered into an agreement or MOU with ICE allowing for the sharing of noncitizens' information, whether specific to ESTA or otherwise, for immigration enforcement? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to looking into this further. e. If yes, please provide the details of this agreement or MOU. Answer. I am not privy to this information. f. Please provide a copy of this agreement or MOU. Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. g. Does TSA have any discretion in contacting ICE? What criteria is TSA applying to determine whether contact with or referral to ICE is appropriate? Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. h. Since January 20, 2025, has TSA made any referrals to ICE for arrests at airports? If yes, please provide the number of referrals and the basis for these referrals. Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. i. Does TSA share information with CBP regarding travelers on domestic flights? If yes, when did this practice begin and what information is being shared? Please provide a copy of the agreement or MOU allowing for this information sharing. Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. 5. Privatization of TSA The Trump Administration has made clear its plans to privatize TSA and Mr. Cummins you were not shy in your nomination hearing about your support for the Trump administration's proposal. During our meeting, you committed to not requiring airports to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). During the hearing, you made clear that a key benefit of privatizing TSA would be funding certainty during any lapse in appropriations. However, as we have seen numerous times before, privatization can--and often does--lead to slashing the workforce, substantially less paid leave, inferior health insurance, lackluster retirement plans, and weakened worker protections. a. Mr. Cummins, do you commit, as you did in our meeting, to not requiring airports to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP)? Answer. I support the FY 2027 President's Budget Request and the expansion of the Screening Partnership Program. Under current law, SPP is an opt-in program, and TSA does not have the statutory authority to require airport participation. If confirmed, I will administer the program consistent with existing law. b. Mr. Cummins, do you commit to not requiring airports to participate in the TSA Gold + program? Answer. The Gold+ program is optional. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and stakeholders to leverage public-private partnerships to strengthen transportation security, streamline efficiencies and improve the passenger experience. c. Please clarify whether, if confirmed, you intend to pursue mandatory participation for all Category III/IV airports in SPP. Answer. I support the FY 2027 President's Budget Request, expansion of SPP, and exploring ways TSA can leverage public-private partnerships. Currently, SPP is an opt-in program that is optional for airports and there are 20 SPP airports nationwide, including San Francisco (SFO) and Kansas City (MCI) airports. TSA does not have the statutory authority to mandate airport participation in SPP. If Congress were to mandate airport participation in SPP, I commit to working with Congress, the Committee, airports, industry partners and stakeholders to implement that. d. The administration plans to cut roughly 8,400 TSA positions (14 percent), redirecting approximately $477 million to SPP. Given these figures, how do you intend to ensure that reducing TSA personnel does not compromise checkpoint security, national aviation safety or capacity? Answer. I support the FY 2027 President's Budget Request, expansion of SPP, and exploring ways TSA can leverage public-private partnerships. Currently, SPP is an opt-in program that is optional for airports and there are 20 SPP airports nationwide, including San Francisco (SFO) and Kansas City (MCI) airports. TSA does not have the statutory authority to mandate airport participation in SPP. If Congress were to mandate airport participation in SPP, I commit to working with Congress, the Committee, airports, industry partners and stakeholders to implement that. Furthermore, I commit to modernizing checkpoint security screening, by combining cutting-edge technology with human talent, to strengthen security, increase operational efficiencies, and improve the passenger experience. e. Will you commit to fully supporting TSA officers' collective bargaining agreements and ensuring that any shift to private contractors does not erode these legally established rights? Answer. I will follow all court orders and abide by all Federal laws. However, TSA has a unique zero-fail national security mission. The CBA in place today impacts the agency's flexibility to scale on demand. The CBA requires shifts to be determined months in advance, making it difficult to adjust shifts based on changes in projected travel volume at an airport. It hinders TSA's ability to be agile and adjust to most efficiently deliver on its mission for the traveling public. The agency's national security mission should not be hindered by a CBA that hamstrings its ability to be flexible and agile. f. Please provide a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing Federal-operated screening vs. privatized screening across multiple airport categories, including intangible costs like training quality, oversight, and security consistency. Answer. I am not privy to this information. 6. Passenger Rail Crew Protection TSA's mission is to protect our Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Among its responsibilities, TSA engages with passenger rail operators by conducting assessments to address security vulnerabilities. There are currently 113 passenger rail systems operating in the United States. One security issue on passenger rail that I am working to address is the assault of passenger rail crew members. Senator Hoeven and I introduced the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act to enhance public safety by ensuring passenger rail crew members are provided with legal protections similar to those that have been afforded to flight crew members and attendants for decades. Specifically, the bipartisan bill would prohibit interfering with intercity and passenger rail crew members by establishing a uniform criminal prohibition against assaulting engineers, conductors, onboard personnel, employees performing safety-sensitive functions and other personnel responsible for operations, functions or customer service at a rail station. a. Do you believe it is important to ensure passenger rail crew members are able to execute their jobs without fear of assault? Answer. Yes. b. If confirmed as Administrator, would you be supportive of efforts, such as the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, to protect passenger rail crew members and increase safety on passenger rail? Answer. Yes. 7. Sanctuary Jurisdictions In May of 2026, Secretary Mullin threatened to pull DHS resources from airports located in so-called ``sanctuary cities'' to unconstitutionally coerce State and local governments to spend State and local tax dollars to carry out activities that are under the sole jurisdiction of the Federal Government: civil immigration enforcement. While there is no legal definition of ``sanctuary jurisdiction,'' the U.S. Department of Justice's list of such jurisdictions includes Illinois, Cook County and the City of Chicago. a. In FY2025, please provide the following metrics for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD): i. The daily average number of travelers that passed through TSA screening. ii. The monthly average number of travelers that passed through TSA screening. iii. The yearly total number of travelers that passed through TSA screening. Answer. I am not privy to this information. b. Do you believe pulling TSA resources away from ORD, the busiest airport in the world, would make travelers more safe or less safe? Answer. I am not aware of any plans as you describe. c. Do you believe national security resources should only be committed to protecting travelers from regions that are politically aligned with whichever administration is in charge? Answer. TSA's mission is to protect the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. If confirmed, I will uphold that mission. d. If DHS follows through on pulling TSA resources away from locations the Trump administration has labeled ``sanctuary jurisdictions,'' will you commit to giving advance notice to Congress and State and local officials? Answer. I am not aware of any plans as you describe. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with Congress and the Committee on the matter. e. If DHS follows through on pulling TSA resources away from locations the Trump administration has labeled ``sanctuary jurisdictions,'' will you commit to a timely meeting with me and my staff? Answer. I am not aware of any plans as you describe. 8. Pipeline Security The natural gas pipeline sector supports TSA as the lead Federal agency for pipeline security, working in consultation with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). As Congress discusses TSA reauthorization, stakeholders are seeking a stronger, more specialized pipeline security program that reflects the unique operational and cybersecurity needs of interstate natural gas pipelines. a. Do you agree that TSA should remain the lead Federal agency responsible for pipeline security? Answer. Yes. b. If confirmed, how would you strengthen TSA's engagement with pipeline operators while maintaining close coordination with CISA and PHMSA? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to the Committee to working more collaboratively with pipeline operators in close coordination with CISA and PHMSA. c. Would you support establishing a dedicated TSA Pipeline Security Division with personnel possessing specialized pipeline security and cybersecurity expertise? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs for pipeline security and cybersecurity. 9. Pipeline Security Expertise As cyber and physical threats continue to evolve, stakeholders have emphasized that TSA's pipeline security program requires personnel with specialized operational, cybersecurity and inspection expertise to effectively oversee critical energy infrastructure. a. Do you believe TSA currently has the staffing and technical expertise necessary to oversee pipeline security effectively? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs for pipeline security and cybersecurity. b. If not, what additional expertise or resources would you seek to strengthen TSA's pipeline security mission? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to carry out its mission and strengthen pipeline security and cybersecurity. c. How would you ensure TSA inspectors and personnel possess the specialized knowledge needed to understand pipeline operations and cybersecurity risks? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources and staff it needs for pipeline security and cybersecurity. 10. Pipeline Cybersecurity Regulations Despite issuing a Enhancing Surface Cyber Risk Management proposal in early 2025, TSA's planned pipeline cybersecurity regulation has remained unfinished, while pipeline operators continue to operate under a series of temporary Security Directives originally issued in response to the Colonial Pipeline incident. Pipeline operators believe permanent regulations developed through notice-and-comment rulemaking would provide greater certainty, transparency, and long-term security benefits. a. If confirmed, will you prioritize finalizing TSA's pipeline cybersecurity regulation? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with this Committee to issue a final rule. b. Do you believe Security Directives should remain temporary emergency tools, rather than becoming a long-term substitute for formal rulemaking? Answer. Yes. c. Can you commit to ensuring that pipeline operators have meaningful opportunities to provide input before permanent cybersecurity requirements are finalized? Answer. Yes. 11. Cross Agency Coordination Many pipeline operators are subject to overlapping security requirements administered by TSA. the U.S. Coast Guard, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and CISA. Pipeline entities continue to urge improved harmonization and reciprocity among these requirements while maintaining strong security standards. a. How do you plan to improve coordination among the Federal agencies with pipeline security oversight responsibilities? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee, USCG, SEC, CISA, and pipeline stakeholders to continue to improve and maintain high security standards. 12. Pipeline Operator Engagement Pipeline operators have emphasized the importance of regular, trusted collaboration with TSA to address evolving physical and cybersecurity threats. Industry stakeholders support formalizing recurring engagement while protecting sensitive security information. a. If confirmed, will you commit to regular engagement with pipeline operators through structured industry meetings or similar forums? Answer. Yes. b. How will you ensure that TSA receives timely operational feedback from industry while appropriately protecting sensitive security information? Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with the Committee, industry stakeholders, and interagency partners to ensure TSA receives timely operational feedback from industry in accordance with all Sensitive Security Information protections and protocols. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to David Cummins Question 1. Despite this Administration's reckless policies that have negatively impacted tourism to the U.S. and cut visitors to Las Vegas by nearly 6 percent from 2024, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas still saw nearly 55 million visitors last year. The day after Super Bowl 58, TSA set a new record at LAS with 104,000 travelers screened in one day. As the world's premier sports and entertainment destination, and with growing and record-setting visitation numbers, Nevada relies on the essential work of TSA agents to keep our airports, skies, and cities safe. In doing so, TSA is at the forefront of the traveler experience and on the frontlines of protecting our airspace from those who wish us harm. a. If confirmed, what actions would you take to improve the traveler experience through innovation and efficiency, while also prioritizing safety and security? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with the Committee and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to modernize checkpoint security screening. Question 2. With so many visitors every year, Las Vegas is not only a major tourist and business destination, but also unfortunately a target for those who wish us harm. Thankfully, the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center enables federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement to rapidly and accurately respond to terrorist and other threats. a. If confirmed, how would you support TSA to coordinate with local fusion centers like the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center to share and receive threat information to better protect our communities? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to continued collaboration with both our public and private sector partners to increase security and efficiency of operations. b. How is the increasing threat of domestic terrorism impacting TSA's work and its collaboration with local law enforcement? Answer. The rise of emerging threats requires TSA to remain agile and ready to respond accordingly. If confirmed, I commit to strengthening coordination with law enforcement, at all levels of government, to strengthen security to better safeguard the transportation sector and the public. Question 3. TSA has the enormous and complex responsibility of securing the Nation's transportation systems from both physical and cyber threats. With cyberattacks on American transportation infrastructure rising in frequency and severity, it's essential TSA work with NIST and CISA to protect our critical infrastructure, including the aviation sector, from persistent cyberthreats and support safe, secure, and efficient travel. a. If confirmed, Mr. Cummins, what actions would you take to ensure critical transportation sector operators continue to enhance their ability to defend against cybersecurity threats? Answer. Cybersecurity is a critical threat to transportation security. If confirmed, I commit to working collaboratively with this Committee, your office, interagency partners, and industry stakeholders to ensure critical transportation sector operators continue to enhance their ability to defend against cybersecurity threats. b. In 2024, the TSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking related to establishing additional cyber risk management requirements on certain critical transportation operators like those in the pipeline and rail industry. Will you commit to finalizing this critical rule, if confirmed? Answer. Cybersecurity is a critical threat to transportation security. If confirmed, I commit to working with this Committee to issue a final rule. It is important to raise security baselines and provide industry with long-term regulatory certainty. c. If confirmed, how would you work with other Federal agencies, including NIST and CISA, to harden our cybersecurity? Answer. Cybersecurity is a critical threat to transportation security. If confirmed, I commit to working collaboratively with this Committee, your office, industry stakeholders, and interagency partners (such as NIST and CISA) to continue to enhance their ability to defend against cybersecurity threats. Question 4. Yesterday, two plain clothed and unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers--one wearing a mask--reportedly attempted to arrest a person inside one of the terminals at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. They appeared to be assisted by a TSA agent in tackling an elderly man, who the Las Vegas Metro Police Department later found had no outstanding warrants. This unacceptable action is another stark reminder that ICE continues to act with impunity, instilling fear in our communities, and in this case, the traveling public. a. Mr. Cummins, we know that TSA has entered into an information sharing agreement with ICE. Does this agreement require proof from ICE that the individuals they are requesting information about have active warrants against them? If you are confirmed, and if the agreement does not require evidence from ICE, will you commit to requiring ICE to provide evidence of an active warrant before information is shared or before TSA assists in ICE enforcement actions in airports? Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. b. Does TSA have any policy regarding how law enforcement agencies are to identify themselves when they are in airports or when attempting to take enforcement actions in airports? If not, how would you address this if confirmed? Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. c. Does ICE agents failing to identify themselves or masking their identities with face coverings jeopardize passengers' safety and security? Would you allow this if confirmed? Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information. d. I know that you were a long time Senior Vice President at Serco, who are contracted with the Government to provide training to ICE officers. To your knowledge, has Serco in the past or currently trained ICE agents on how to conceal or mask their identities? Answer. I did not oversee or work on these contracts. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to David Cummins 1. Collaboration with Customs and Border Patrol at International Airports Mr. Cummins, in your nomination hearing, you stated that you had not spoken to Secretary Mullin or Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Scott regarding plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports and remove Customs officers from international airports in so-called ``sanctuary cities''. You also said that you understood the security and economic risks of these potential actions. You acknowledged that we are in a very politicized environment, and that aviation security is impaired by politics. Following this, when I asked your whether you would carry out these plans if directed, you stated if you were confirmed as TSA administrator and the TSA decided to partially or completely reduce services at sanctuary city airports, you remain committed to briefing the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Justice regarding the ramifications of these actions. Question 1. Mr. Cummins, given your apparent awareness of the significant ramifications associated with cutting essential services to airports, please explain what consequences would be associated with such a decision. Answer. I am not aware of any plans regarding this matter. If confirmed, I commit to notifying the Committee and your office on the matter. Question 2. Mr. Cummins, 49 USC 114 clearly outlines that the responsibilities of the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration are ensuring that there are adequate ``security plans addressing security risks, including threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences, for aviation, railroad, ferry, highway, maritime, pipeline, public transportation, over-the-road bus, and other transportation infrastructure assets.'' Do you believe that reducing TSA personnel at major American cities meets the safety requirements that the TSA Administrator is tasked with upholding? Answer. I am not aware of any plans regarding this matter. 2. Privatization of TSA The President's FY27 budget request includes an expansion of the Screening Partnership Program. This program allows airports to privatize their screeners, eliminating over 4,500 Federal positions. There would also be no guarantee that private screeners would provide their employees with comparable pay or benefits. In the hearing, you stated that the starting pay is typically higher. Question 3. How does pay for more experienced workers, not entry- level positions, compare between private screeners and Federal employees? Answer. Federal law requires that private screeners under the Screening Partnership Program receive pay and benefits commensurate to those of Federal employees, including experienced personnel. As a result, compensation for private screeners is designed to closely match that of their Federal counterparts to ensure parity and retention. Question 4. How will you ensure that benefits from private companies are also at or above the levels received by TSA employees? Answer. Federal law, and the executed Screening Partnership Program contracts, requires it. In your testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, you stated that your number one priority was to improve staff morale. Question 5. Mr. Cummins, do you think that eliminating thousands of positions at TSA will improve morale? Answer. I believe ensuring paycheck stability and not forcing TSA employees to work without pay for extended durations due to government shutdowns is the most consequential act TSA can take to improve morale. 3. Transportation Technology Center Pueblo, Colorado, is the home to the world's premier railway testing. The facility is called the Transportation Technology Center also known as the TTC. The TTC has a facility that serves as TSA's primary hands-on training hub for freight rail, passenger rail, hazmat security, and pipeline infrastructure. Security threats to the freight rail system are growing rapidly. In 2025 alone, major U.S. railroads reported over 75,000 theft incidents resulting in more than $200 million in losses. Sophisticated cargo theft often targets high-value, hazardous, or sensitive loads. Question 6. Mr. Cummins, how do you plan to utilize TSA resources to respond to the cargo theft crisis? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with the Department of Transportation, state and local law enforcement partners, and industry stakeholders to bolster the security of the Nation's freight rail systems and cargo. Question 7. Mr. Cummins, what are your plans for supporting the training and testing at the TTC to ensure the security of our transportation sector? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working with Congress, the Committee, and your office to ensure TSA has the resources it needs to ensure robust training and testing at the TCC, fostering collaboration with industry partners, and supporting the adoption of innovative technologies. 4. Security Impacts of Weather Modeling and Forecasting The United States is widely recognized as the global leader in aviation weather services because of its sustained Federal investment in weather research, observations, and forecasting technology. These services include the tools and models developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The work that NCAR does between weather forecasting and decision support helps create a more predictable aviation system, which ultimately decreases disruptions, delays, and uncertainty, reducing stress on security operations and alleviating economic impacts. Question 8. Mr. Cummins, how important are these kinds of federally-funded forecasting and support capabilities to maintaining a safe, secure, and resilient aviation transportation system? Answer. I am not privy to this information. Question 9. Mr. Cummins, what would the consequences be for aviation security and the traveling public if these kinds of operational capabilities could not be developed? Answer. Currently, I am not privy to this information 5. Pipeline Security TSA leads Federal pipeline security in collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Question 10. Mr. Cummins, how would you strengthen TSA's role in protecting the unique operational and security needs of interstate natural gas pipelines while maintaining close coordination with CISA and PHMSA? Answer. If confirmed, I commit to the agency working more collaboratively with pipeline operators in close coordination with CISA and PHMSA. ______ Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to David Cummins 1. Security Screening Equipment The screening equipment at Hawaii airports are in need of service, which has resulted in longer security lines and occasional closures. For Hawaii residents, air travel is critical to get to work, attend appointments, and see family. However, airports have reported challenges to receiving the replacement parts and servicing they need. a. By which date will TSA resolve all dysfunctional screening equipment at Hawaii airports to ensure they are fully operational, including any necessary replacements of such equipment or their parts? Answer. Currently I am not privy to this information. b. Do you commit to ensuring TSA factors in the unique circumstances facing Hawaii airports for security screening equipment needs? For example, Hawaii airports are exposed to higher-than-typical humidity and salt air, which can contribute to increased servicing needs. Answer. Yes. c. Do you commit to ensuring TSA responds to screening equipment concerns at Hawaii airports in a timely manner under your leadership? Answer. Yes. [all]