Senate Homeland Security Hearing: "Weaponization of the Quiet Skies Program" 09.30.25

"Examining the Weaponization of the Quiet Skies Program"
Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/examining-the-weaponization-of-the-quiet-skies-program/

What is the Quiet Skies Program?
The Quiet Skies Program was a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) initiative launched in April 2012 to enhance aviation security by identifying and monitoring higher-risk passengers who were not already under investigation or on terrorism watchlists. It used intelligence-based rules to flag individuals based on factors like travel patterns or indirect contact with known or suspected terrorists, subjecting them to enhanced screening at airport checkpoints and, starting in March 2018, behavioral surveillance by undercover Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) officers in airports and on domestic or select international flights.
The program aimed to detect unknown threats through observation of passenger behavior, such as nervousness or unusual actions. However, it faced significant scrutiny for lacking oversight and effectiveness. In June 2025, the Trump administration terminated the program, citing its failure to prevent any terrorist attacks, annual costs of approximately $200 million, and evidence of political weaponization under the prior Biden administration, including selective targeting of opponents and exemptions for allies.

Pros & Cons:
https://x.com/i/grok/share/wMH61Pk7wicWNDjmLmMPhjbOs

Member Statements
Ranking Member, Gary Peters (D - MI)
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/library/files/opening-statement-peters-2025-09-30/opening-statement-peters-2025-09-30/

Witnesses
MARK CROWDER
Senior Federal Air Marshal
U.S. Transportation Security Administration

THE HONORABLE TRISTAN LEAVITT
President, Empower Oversight
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/library/files/testimony-harper-2025-09-30/testimony-leavitt-2025-09-30/

MATT TAIBBI
Editor, Racket News
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/library/files/testimony-harper-2025-09-30/testimony-taibbi-2025-09-30-revised/

JIM HARPER
Senior Nonresident Fellow
American Enterprise Institute
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/library/files/testimony-harper-2025-09-30/testimony-harper-2025-09-30/

ABED AYOUB
National Executive Director
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/library/files/testimony-harper-2025-09-30/testimony-ayoub-2025-09-30/

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