Only Three US Airports Require Employee Security Checks Before Work

Month after a news outfit reported that dozens of airport employees around the country have potential ties to terrorists, officials from the Department of Homeland Security admit that only three airports in the United States require workers to undergo security checks, according to the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Three airports in the United States require employees to undergo security checks before conducting work, Judicial Watch reported on Thursday, citing Congressional testimony by the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

"Less than a month after a news outfit reported that dozens of airport employees around the country have potential ties to terrorists, officials from the [Department of Homeland Security] admit that only three airports in the United States require workers to undergo security checks," Judicial Watch reported.

On Wednesday, TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger told the US Senate Commerce Committee that the United States should take steps to further improve safety of surface transportation in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks in Europe.

Neffenger also admitted that only three airports — Atlanta, Miami and Orlando — require employees to undergo security checks before work.

Last month, government records obtained by media under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that 73 employees in nearly 40 airports were flagged in a June 2015 government report as having ties to terrorism.

The employees were allowed to work because the TSA did not have access to the terror databases during the vetting process, according to media reports.