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Sen. Gardner Behind Bill To Keep TSA Lines Moving

DENVER (CBS4)- Sen. Cory Gardner is behind an urgent fix to the long lines at TSA security checkpoints at Denver International Airport and across the country.

Gardner, a Republican representing Colorado, has introduced the Safe Convenient Reliable Efficient Effective Next-Generation Functional and Secure TSA or SCREENFAST, Act. The legislation is designed to ease the TSA lines at airports while also providing necessary safety measures.

Airport security checkpoint lines are growing partially because the TSA has reduced its number of security screeners. During the reduction, air travel has increased by nine percent.

"The last time we were here the line was way past the carousels," said one passenger at DIA.

The bill gives 29 of the country's largest airports the responsibility to solve the security line problems on their own, giving them the power to decide what's best.

"I share frustration with Coloradans about growing security lines at airports across the country," said Gardner in a statement. "My bill addresses TSA's growing security lines and aims to find an innovative solution to streamline the security screening process so that it is more efficient, while also preserving the critical security function that must be incorporated into any legislative fix to TSA's problem. I'm hopeful my colleagues will join me and support this commonsense legislation that would lead to a more effective TSA screening system and ultimately shorter airports security lines in Denver and throughout the country."

The bill also calls for new equipment that includes automated baggage handling.

The bill does not allocate funding to the airports but does allow airports to spend current funding how they see fit.

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