DHS Overrules TSA on More Airport Screening by Private Vendor

A top Homeland Security Department official overruled the Transportation Security Administration’s objections to a Senate proposal that would let a private company assume authority to screen airport passengers, reviving legislation that failed to get traction earlier this year.

The letter from Ken Cuccinelli, the senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary of Homeland Security, to bill sponsor Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) was written days before the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that were partly blamed on loose security by private companies.

CLEAR, which performs some security functions under contract to about 35 airports, would get access ...