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Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: May 12, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, the job of a Federal air marshal is exhausting and isolating.

Data from the Air Marshal Association show that air marshals are at high risk for extreme fatigue due to the long hours they spend on planes and their irregular sleep schedules. Many marshals also report mental health issues and a reliance on medications and alcohol to fall asleep.

Tragically, several marshals have died by suicide in the last decade, including three officers in the last 3 years who were assigned to the Washington, D.C., field office and served out of National Airport.

We here in Congress know firsthand how important it is to ensure that law enforcement officers have access to mental and peer support, and I am very glad H.R. 903 includes provisions that allow TSA to work with air marshals to address mental health and suicide rates.

My amendment simply ensures that work schedules, rest periods, equipment, and training are also a part of that conversation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for my amendment.

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