Public Safety & Homeland Security
U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the bombings in Boston yesterday:
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the bombings in Boston yesterday:
"My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the bombings in Boston during the Boston Marathon yesterday. The attack is a painful reminder that the threat of terror is real, and we must remain vigilant and continue to take critical steps to protect our homeland.
WASHINGTON, DC – Following the act of terrorism in Boston, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15), a Member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former Alameda County prosecutor, today sent a personal letter to the nine Police Chiefs, two Sheriffs and two District Attorneys in California's Fifteenth Congressional District to reiterate the resources his office can provide as they work together to protect the East Bay.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today participated in a Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee hearing entitled "TSA's Efforts to Advance Risk-Based Security: Stakeholder Perspectives." Swalwell questioned witnesses from airline stakeholder groups regarding the decision by TSA to allow certain small knives on-board planes. He reiterated his objection to this risky policy that ignores the threat of knives, arguing TSA must screen for new threats like liquids, along with old ones like knives.
It's hard for newcomers to Congress, especially if they're in the minority, to get much attention in Washington. But freshman Rep. Eric Swalwell, the East Bay Democrat who unseated veteran Pete Stark last November, may have found a way.
A group of House Democrats say it's time the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) stop defending its decision to allow knives on airplanes — and instead just drop the controversial proposal. "On March 21, 2013, we along with 133 members of Congress, wrote to you requesting that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintain knives and sporting equipment on the Prohibited Items List (PIL) until a process of formal consultation is conducted with all stakeholders through the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC)," Reps.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Member of the Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee, sent another letter to John S. Pistole, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), reiterating his opposition to TSA's decision to allow knives onboard airplanes and his concern proper procedures were not followed. He was joined on the letter by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Cedric L.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a newly elected Democrat from the 15th District and a member of the Homeland Security Committee, has been one of the more vocal critics of TSA's new policy on items being brought on board airplanes. Effective April 25, passengers can bring hockey sticks, golf clubs and billiard cues among carry-on baggage. What has Swalwell most concerned is knives will also be allowed on board, and in the post-9/11 era, Swalwell tells us on video that TSA should know better than to allow knives on planes.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Michael Grimm (R-NY) led a bipartisan group of 133 members of Congress in sending a letter to John S. Pistole, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), expressing serious concern and urging the withdrawal of the recent decision that TSA will start to allow passengers to bring certain knives and sports equipment onboard airplanes.
Almost 60 House members so far from both sides of the aisle have signed a letter co-authored by an East Bay lawmaker expressing concern about the new Transportation Security Administration policy allowing knives on planes. TSA revised their prohibited items policy to allow certain knives and sports equipment in airplane cabins; the new policy is set to take effect on April 25. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Pleasanton, and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.