Senate Democrat demands that TSA lift its "shoes-on" policy, calling it a "reckless" safety risk

Source: CBS News

Updated on: April 3, 2026 / 6:15 AM EDT


A key senator is demanding the Transportation Security Administration reverse its decision to let travelers keep their shoes on their feet while passing through airport screening, a controversial policy at the center of a classified security warning — escalating pressure on the agency following months of scrutiny over airport security vulnerabilities.

In a letter obtained exclusively by CBS News, Sen. Tammy Duckworth demanded that TSA immediately rescind its "shoes-on" policy, calling it a "reckless act" that may be placing the flying public at risk.

The Illinois Democrat, who serves as ranking member of the Senate subcommittee overseeing aviation, warned that the policy was likely implemented "without meaningful consultation with TSA." She cited an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog that found it created a new security vulnerability in airport screening systems.

An "outrageous" danger to the flying public

Duckworth's demand marks the first direct call from a lawmaker to reverse the policy, following CBS News' reporting on a classified inspector general audit that used covert "red team" testing to identify serious vulnerabilities in TSA screening nationwide. The classified watchdog report found that TSA scanners are unable to effectively screen shoes, raising concerns that threat items could evade detection. But those findings were buried by DHS leadership, according to previous reporting by CBS News.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-democrat-demands-tsa-lift-shoes-on-policy-safety-risk/