While U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, pushes for her amended re-authorization legislation of the Federal Aviation Administration, a top Transportation Safety Administration official says he’ll look at issues surrounding the Pease Airport in New Hampshire.

Roger Wood in Depth monitored the most recent exchange between Sen. Ayotte and TSA Administrator Peter Effinger. The Senator asked him about measures the agency is taking to ensure passenger safety and screening measures….specifically the TSA’s policy in vetting airport workers, and using contracted federal employees.

For his part, Effinger said that he supports the re-authorization of the FAA.  He also said that that airports can now choose to bring in a private passenger screening workforce if they choose.

Ayotte discussed TSA’s efforts to improve management innovations and develop technological improvements to screening systems in light of recent long wait times at TSA security checkpoints.

She also said that she hopes the House will take up the FAA re-authorization bill. Major underwriter Northeast Delta Dental helps support The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism, a non-profit news organizations promoting transparency in government. For InDepthNH.org, I’m Roger Wood.