Trump's pick to lead TSA calls private airport screening program 'pro-worker,' vows to help workers

Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the TSA sought to ease concerns about expanding private airport screening at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, calling the current program “pro-worker” and saying it would not threaten the agency’s workforce. David Cummins, a former senior vice president at government contractor Serco, would take over an organization with roughly 60,000 employees responsible for security operations across more than 440 airports nationwide. He addressed persistent staffing and morale problems, including weeks without pay after this year’s record-long partial government shutdown that triggered callouts and about 1,100 resignations, leading to long lines at some U.S. airports. Cummins said his first step, if confirmed, would be visiting airports to reassure front-line officers and support them. Lawmakers and the TSA union have warned that expanding the Screening Partnership Program could amount to privatizing a core security function, though Cummins rejected that framing and defended the plan. He also backed legislation such as the bipartisan Keep America Flying Act.