A review of Transportation Security Administration funding 2001–2007

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 spurred a fundamental change in the thinking, organization, and funding of transportation security in the United States. The most visible organizational change was the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), first as an entity within the Department of Transportation in November 2001, and then as part of the newly-established Department of Homeland Security effective March 2003. The TSA assumed control of many aviation security activities, many of which had previously been provided through private organizations under contract to airports or aviation authorities. While the most visible of these activities was passenger and baggage security screening, the TSA mandate includes air cargo screening, the Federal Air Marshals service, transportation employee background checks, and roles in rail, urban transit, and port and maritime security. However, in the years since its inception, TSA has devoted the overwhelming majority of its resources to commercial aviation and to meeting aviation security statutory requirements imposed by Congress. More recently, the agency has increased efforts at security for rail, transit, and ports.