Congressman Harris Urges Maryland to Consider TSA Screening Partnership Program Amid BWI Delays

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter to Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson urging the state to apply for TSA’s Screening Partnership Program (SPP) following reports of five-hour long wait times at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).

The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows airports to use private security contractors under federal oversight while maintaining all TSA standards. Airports in the program, including San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport, have avoided the severe delays seen at many TSA-run checkpoints, even during funding lapses. As TSA works to rebuild its workforce, SPP offers a proven long-term solution to prevent disruptions at BWI.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Five-hour security lines at BWI are unacceptable for Marylanders and the millions of travelers who rely on this airport. President Trump’s emergency order to fund TSA agents will ease immediate strain, but restoring full staffing and operations will take time. Airports in the Screening Partnership Program are not experiencing the delays seen at BWI. Maryland should apply now to ensure this does not happen again at BWI.”

Full text of the letter can be viewed here. 

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov