Coast Guard, FEMA and TSA budgets hit for Trump's wall during hurricane season?

Homeland Security raids Coast Guard coffers to pay for border programs

The Associated Press
By: Colleen Long
August 27, 2019

"Taking money away from TSA and from FEMA in the middle of hurricane season could have deadly consequences." House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson

Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Puerto Rico personnel attach hurricane shutters on Monday in preparation for Tropical Storm Dorian. (Ricardo Castrodad/Coast Guard)

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security is moving $271 million from other agencies such as FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard to increase the number of beds for detained immigrants and support its policy forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases play out.

The news comes as hurricane season is ramping up and Tropical Storm Dorian is heading toward Puerto Rico.

The sprawling 240,000-person Homeland Security Department includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard and the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in addition to immigration agencies.

It is not uncommon for unassigned funds to be transferred between agencies under the same department as the fiscal year ends. Last year around the same time, about $200 million was transferred, including $10 million from FEMA that prompted major criticism from Democrats.

Homeland Security officials said in a statement Tuesday they would transfer $155 million to create temporary facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border for holding hearings with the aim of moving asylum cases through the system faster.
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Veterans Expedited TSA Screening?

This bill would make airport security easier and ‘less intrusive’ for disabled vets

Military Times
By: Natalie Gross
June 20, 2019

Qualifying disabled veterans would get TSA PreCheck for free.
(Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

The bipartisan legislation would grant TSA PreCheck privileges to veterans who are blind or paralyzed, as well as veteran amputees.

The service allows members to enter an expedited airport security line and pass through without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. It typically costs $85, but qualifying veterans would get it for free — a benefit already extended to active-duty service members and those in the National Guard and Reserves.

“Millions of veterans have sacrificed a great deal in service to our nation and returned home with service-connected disabilities," Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a news release. “For those of us who rely on prosthetics and wheelchairs for mobility, air travel and passing through airport security can be a challenge.”

Duckworth, a former Army lieutenant colonel and Iraq veteran, is herself a double amputee. She co-sponsored the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act with Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind, and said the measure would make the airport experience “a little easier and less intrusive."
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Triple Amputee Brian Kolfage TSA Full Pat Down? Seriously?

Purple Heart triple-amputee veteran Brian Kolfage subjected to full pat down at Tucson International Airport

Daily Mail
Stephanie Haney
February 10, 2019

Florida Purple Heart veteran Brian Kolfage, 37, was subjected to an 'invasive' pat down by TSA agents
A concerned fellow traveler filmed the incident on Saturday in Tuscon, Arizona
'They groped and searched under his hips and buttocks, his groin and his half arm searching for what?'
YouTube users James Hoft said in the video caption
According to his website, Kolfage was severely wounded in a 2004 rocket attack at an Iraq air base, losing both legs and one arm and now has prosthetics
Kolfage, from Florida, was in the Tuscon area for a rally about building a border wall through crowdfunding
Kolfage raised more than $20 million through GoFundMe since December to support his effort, but fell short of his $1 billion goal triggering refunds to patrons
Now those who donated have the option to forward their support to a non-profit

The Florida triple-amputee veteran who garnered more than $20 million online to help build a wall along the southern US border was filmed being thoroughly searched by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents in Tuscon, Arizona.

A concerned fellow traveler filmed Purple Heart recipient Brian Kolfage, 37, being subjected to an 'invasive TSA pat down' on Saturday morning at Tuscon International Airport, following a 'We Build The Wall' rally in Sahuarita, which took place on Friday.

'They groped and searched under his hips and buttocks, his groin and his half arm searching for what?' YouTube user 'james hoft' wrote in the caption with the video, uploaded on Saturday.

'Brian is an Afghanistan War veteran. They also swabbed his prosthetic legs and wheelchair for explosives.'
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Breaking news: Suspected suicide at OIA

UPDATE

OIA implements new safety measure after TSA worker jumped to his death

Investigators say the 36-year-old Robert Henry finished his TSA shift earlier this month. Henry, who had worked for the TSA for more than 12 years, then made his way to an upper level of the Hyatt Regency hotel, which has indoor balconies overlooking the large atrium that encloses the airport's security checkpoint.

update WESH2 News

Co-workers and friends of the TSA agent learned of his death during a meeting where they were getting information about resources available if there is another shutdown this month. TSA union representatives said crisis counseling is available to people in an effort to try to help them deal with everything going on.

TSA agent dead after jumping from balcony inside Orlando International Airport, police say

Travelers with flights at gates 70-129 will be re-screened, delays possible By Anna Johnson - Digital Journalist

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Transportation Security Administration agent is dead after he jumped from a balcony in the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Orlando International Airport, according to officials from the Orlando Police Department.

In a tweet, OPD officials said the man jumped into the atrium area of the airport Saturday morning. A statement from TSA officials said he fell, though they also said that it will be up to law enforcement to officially determine the cause of death.
check back here for updates

Some are connecting the shutdown and threat of another one as part of the reason. 

This is from Click Orlando

The apparent suicide comes after a 35-day shutdown, in which TSA and federal employees went without pay. 

"Our @TSA Officers have already suffered so much during the #GovernmentShutdown," Rep. Darren Soto posted on Twitter. "This apparent suicide only adds to tragedy experienced at Orlando Int'l. Our prayers go out to his family and coworkers after this difficult loss." 

"TSA agents have some of the toughest jobs, and these public servants often sacrifice a lot in order to keep us safe at our nation's airports," Rep. Stephanie Murphy said. "My thoughts today are with his family and coworkers, and I wish them well during this difficult time." 

"Terrible news from Orlando airport today with the death of a TSA agent," Sen. Marco Rubio said. "Please pray for the family and all impacted by todays horrible tragedy.​"

Heroic Actions: TSA Agent Took Smoking Bag Away

This is a good story of a TSA Agent risking his life. He didn't know what was in the smoking bag. It didn't matter. He didn't want to take a chance with the lives of everyone else around him.

Smoking Camera Battery Sparks Scare at Orlando Airport, Canceling Flights
NBC News
by PHIL HELSEL
November 11, 2017

A lithium ion camera battery apparently caught fire and began smoking at Orlando International Airport on Friday, causing a panic that toppled stanchions, raised fears of a shooting and canceled around 24 flights, authorities said.

The airport said that a loud noise was reported at around 5 p.m. in front of a security checkpoint, and "In an abundance of caution, passengers inside the terminal were instructed to exit the building while Orlando Police and Orlando International Airport staff investigated.”

Greater Orlando International Aviation Authority CEO Phil Brown said in a letter posted online Saturday that the camera battery inside the bag apparently caught fire and began to smoke, the passenger dropped the bag and emergency responders moved it away from crowds.

"Others hearing the luggage being dropped, stanchions falling, and rapid movement mistook the sounds as gunfire and within seconds a spontaneous evacuation of the main terminal occurred," Brown said in the letter.
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But the story got even better! 

TSA releases footage of agent, army veteran grabbing bag during security scare at OIA

He was in the Army for 20 years, then joined the TSA after 9-11. Rick Perez said "Somebody had to do it and it was me."

Female Iraq Veteran With PTSD Takes On TSA "Piggish Behavior"

Decorated Army veteran now marching in high heels, alleges retaliation at TSA
The Washington Post
By MANUEL ROIG-FRANZIA
Published: December 1, 2016

Bermudez's troubles have been exacerbated by health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, which she says is related to her military service in Iraq. Although her protest has quite literally made her case highly visible, she is far from the only woman who alleges that her life has been upended by working at TSA.

Alyssa Bermudez protests in front of the Transportation Security Administration headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post

For Alyssa Bermudez, high heels, a dress and makeup are her new uniform as much as the one she wore in the sands of Iraq. They represent her evolution from Bronze Star soldier to professional woman.

She wears her new uniform — and carries a protest sign instead of a rifle — in her new role as whistleblower, marching on the streets outside the Transportation Security Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va.

Bermudez says she was driven to protest by the allegedly piggish behavior of men with whom she worked at the Transportation Security Administration headquarters across the street. These men ogled her, she claims, snickered about her being in a "harem" because she's pretty, and retaliated against her when she complained, ultimately stripping her of employment five days before her probationary period ended.

"TSA has a saying: If you see something, say something," Bermudez, 33, says one afternoon. "Little did I know that when I said something, I would be fighting the agency. It's a very daunting task."
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Veteran charged with boarding plane with loaded gun?

This has me all confused. She is charged with "boarding a plane" but how did she get on the plane with a gun in the first place? I can't even get past the security with a pack of cigarettes in my pocket. The foil sets off the alarm every time.

Veteran charged with trying to board plane with loaded gun at Midway
Chicago Sun Times
BY JON SEIDEL Staff Reporter
December 29, 2013

A military veteran is accused of trying to bring a loaded handgun onto a plane at Midway Airport during the busy holiday travel weekend.

Josephine M. Coleman, 25, of Country Club Hills, is charged with boarding an aircraft with a weapon, and Cook County Judge James Brown ordered her held Sunday in lieu of $25,000.
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Marine and wife tell story of TSA and State Capitol humiliations

So much for the claim that TSA changes the way they treat wounded war fighters when this story came out. Combat wounded Marine to be honored dishonored by TSA But now the veteran and his wife get to tell their story.

Only On CBS2: Wounded Marine Says He Was Humiliated By State Capitol Security, Airport TSA
CBS Los Angeles
July 10, 2013

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — A wounded Marine is speaking out about his “humiliating” encounters with State Capitol security guards and Sacramento Airport TSA.

In an exclusive interview with CBS2, Cpl. Nathan Kemnitz told reporter Brittney Hopper he was being honored in Sacramento for his service in Iraq, where a roadside bomb left him severely injured in 2004. The 29-year-old veteran is blind in his right eye and has limited use of his right arm, which he can’t lift above his head.
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Combat wounded Marine to be honored dishonored by TSA

Wounded Purple Heart Marine flagged by TSA for 'too much metal' at California airport
FoxNews.com
Published July 08, 2013

A retired U.S. Marine severely injured in Iraq was subjected to extra scrutiny at a California airport and at the state capitol building for wearing "too much metal" -- an inspection that shocked his travel companion as well as bystanders, the MilitaryTimes.com reported.

Cpl. Nathan Kemnitz, who was gravely wounded in 2004 from a roadside bomb in Iraq, has limited use of his right arm and is incapable of lifting it above his head, according to the website.

During a recent trip to the state capitol building in Sacramento, Calif. -- where Kemnitz was being honored as his legislative district’s veteran of the year -- the retired Marine was reportedly asked to remove his dress shirt.

He was also asked by TSA workers at Sacramento International Airport to lift his arms above his head during a full-body scan. Kemnitz could not comply with either request, telling Military Times, "My right arm doesn’t work.
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House passes bill giving disabled vets expedited airport screening

House passes bill giving disabled vets expedited airport screenings
Legislation comes after reports of overzealous TSA inspections of injured veterans
May. 21, 2013
Army Times
By Patricia Kime
Staff Writer

The House has passed a bill that would require the Transportation Security Administration to expedite security screenings for severely injured or disabled veterans and any family members or caregivers traveling with them.

The “Helping Heroes Fly” act, H.R. 1344, would mandate that TSA develop policies for screening disabled veterans to protect their privacy and let them keep on their shoes, belts and jackets when going through security. Taking them off, as is required of regular passengers, is “more than just an inconvenience” to service members or veterans who are wearing a prosthetic or are confined to a wheelchair, said bill sponsor Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii.

“These selfless heroes should never have to face lengthy, invasive and even humiliating screening procedures at our airports. The ‘Helping Heroes Fly Act’ is a strong step toward ensuring they do not face unnecessary hardships after having served our country with courage and dignity,” said Gabbard, who also serves as a captain in the Hawaii National Guard.
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TSA changes the way they treat wounded war fighters

TSA Allows Wounded Warriors Expedited Screening
Mar 28, 2013
Military.com
by Stephen Bajza

Current TSA procedures can be time-consuming at best and invasive at worst. Scrambling to take off your shoes and shove all your carry-on belongings into a few plastic bins is not a process commonly considered enjoyable. For those with disabilities or serious injuries, the process can be much more grueling and uncomfortable.

Fortunately for Wounded Warriors, starting today the TSA is initiating a new policy change to expedite airport screening. While veterans and servicemembers currently do not need to remove their shoes or boots at TSA checkpoints, this reform offers a new level of comfort and trust to those who have been severely injured in service to the United States.

The new TSA benefits include:
Expedited screening
Curb-to-gate service
Wounded Warriors will not have to remove shoes, light outerwear, jackets, or hats.
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US Marine arrested at Logan after flight from Vegas missed ammo

US Marine arrested at Logan
April 19, 2009
By John C. Drake, Globe Staff

A US Marine was arrested today at Logan International Airport after federal airport screeners discovered a gun, bomb-making materials, and ammunition in his checked baggage, State Police and Transportation Security Administration officials said.

Corporal Justin Reed, 22, of Jacksonville, N.C., was booked on US Airways Flight 877 to Charlotte, N.C., said TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis. She said Reed had arrived on a flight from Las Vegas this morning.

TSA screeners in Terminal B called State Police at 7:10 a.m. after a screen discovered the following items in his checked baggage: a locked handgun box containing a semi-automatic handgun, a fully loaded gun magazine, several boxes of 9 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, three model rocket engines containing an explosive mixture, military pull-type fuses, switches, electronics kit boxes with various components, and a hand grenade fuse assembly with detonator.
go here for more
US Marine arrested at Logan

Police: Soldier had gun in baggage at airport

Police: Soldier had gun in baggage at airport

The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Oct 19, 2008 17:49:11 EDT

NEW YORK — Police say a soldier has been arrested after a Long Island MacArthur Airport baggage inspector found a loaded handgun in her luggage.

Suffolk County police say a federal Transportation Security Administration agent spotted the four-inch revolver in Army Spc. Vonda Collier’s checked bag Sunday while conducting routine inspections.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_revolver_luggage_101908/

The problem here is that I think it was only because it was loaded. It would also be a problem if it was in a carry on bag.

We have friends who are hunters and they travel all across the country on hunting trips. They can put their rifles and other weapons in their checked bags but the ammo has to be carried separately. They cannot carry their weapons in their carry on bags. I'm sure more of this story will come out and things will be a bit more clear

UPDATE:
Soldier pleads not guilty to airport gun rap

The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Oct 20, 2008 15:15:04 EDT

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — A soldier has pleaded not guilty to a weapon charge following her arrest at a Long Island airport for allegedly carrying a loaded revolver in her checked luggage.

Army Spc. Vonda Collier was arraigned Monday in New York state court on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon. She was ordered held on $5,000 bail or $25,000 bond.
go here for more of this
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_gunarrest_102008/