Republicans move to cut the knees out from under the D.C. swamp

The Right has a mandate. After their sweeping victory, no one can deny it.

Now Republicans are moving to cut the knees out from under the D.C. swamp.

A group of Republican lawmakers unveiled new legislation on Thursday aimed at dismantling the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The proposal suggests shifting airport security responsibilities to private companies, which would operate under federal supervision.

Leading the charge, Sen. Mike Lee from Utah, alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama, introduced the “Abolish the TSA Act of 2025.”

This bill seeks to disband the TSA entirely and create a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to monitor the privatized security efforts.

In a statement, Lee explained the reasoning behind the move: “The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives.”

“Our bill privatizes security functions at American airports under the eye of an Office of Aviation Security Oversight, bringing this bureaucratic behemoth to a welcome end.”

He added, “American families can travel safely without feeling the hands of an army of federal employees.”

The lawmakers argue that privatizing security could boost both efficiency and safety. They highlighted that more than 80% of European airports already rely on private security firms, pointing to this as evidence of a successful model.

Backing their case, Lee and Tuberville referenced a 2015 undercover investigation. That study revealed TSA agents missed 95% of mock explosives and weapons during covert tests, failing to detect 67 out of 70 test items.

Tuberville, known for his stance against government overreach, didn’t hold back in his critique.

“It’s a bloated agency—riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars—that has led to unnecessary delays, invasive pat downs and bag checks, and frustration for travelers,” he said.

“We need to focus on more efficient and effective methods to protect our country without sacrificing the liberties and freedoms of American citizens.”

Lee, who has long opposed TSA’s approach, has consistently questioned its effectiveness and methods.

Last year, he took to X to share his views: “Airlines can and will secure their own planes if a federal agency doesn’t do it for them. They’ll do it better than TSA, without undermining the Constitution and with less groping—showing more respect for passengers.”

The legislation is still in its early stages. It will need to go through additional review before it can move forward to the Senate floor for a broader debate.

In support of the bill, Lee emphasized a key principle: “Competition drives excellence, efficiency, and safety—not bureaucracy. TSA, the regulating entity in aviation security, should not be conducting the regulated activity.”