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WASHINGTON DC20510
February7,2018TheHonorableJohnBoozman,ChairmanTheHonorableJonTester,RankingMemberAppropriationsSubcommitteeonHomelandSecurityWashington,DC20510DearChairmanBoozmanandRankingMemberTester:AsyouworktofinalizetheFY2018DepartmentofHomelandSecurityAppropriationsbill,weurgeyoutoincludefundingtobeginreimbursingairportsthattookearlyactiontoinstallin-linebaggagescreeningsystemsbuthavenotyetreceivedcompensationforthesecriticalsecurityinvestments.Inresponsetothe9/11terroristattacksandwiththeencouragementandoversightoftheTransportationSecurityAdministration(TSA),severalairportsinstalledin-linebaggagescreeningsystemswiththeexpectationandpromisethattheywouldbereimbursedfortheirearlyaction.Regrettably,theseairportshavestillnotbeenrepaid.WearegratefulfortheSubcommittee sinclusionofreportlanguagethisyearandinprioryearstorequiretheTSAtoquantifytheamounttheaffectedairportsareowedandtoestablishaplantorepaythesecosts.Thatprocesshasconfirmedthatairportsareowedatleast 217millionbuthasnotidentifiedanyresourcestobeginreimbursements.Withthecostsnowvalidated,itisappropriatetobeginprovidingfundsforreimbursement.WeurgeyoutocommitasmuchfundingaspossibleforthatpurposeinthefinalHomelandSecurityappropriationsbillforFY2018.Thankyouforyourconsiderationofthisrequestandyoureffortstohelpourairportsreceivewhattheyareowed.Sincerely,JACKREEDU.S.SenatorBILLNELSONU.S.Senator