{
  "id": "RL32425",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL32425",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 104366,
      "date": "2004-06-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T20:14:26.943362",
      "title": "Sensitive Security Information and Transportation Security: Issues and Congressional Options",
      "summary": "As a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress passed legislation creating\nthe\nTransportation Security Administration (TSA). The agency was charged with making improvements\nto the country's transportation security systems and protecting against future terrorist attacks. TSA\nwas also given the authority to establish regulations for protecting certain information from public\ndisclosure. These regulations govern sensitive security information, or SSI.\n  The SSI regulations prohibit TSA officials and employees having a \"need to know\" status from\ndisclosing transportation security information that details security programs and equipment; training\nand security procedures; vulnerability assessments; or other related information. The regulations\npertaining to SSI are exempt from Freedom of Information Act disclosure. TSA is required,\nhowever, to provide SSI to authorized congressional committees.\n  The purpose of the SSI regulations is to restrict information relative to future terrorist attacks. \nTSA's application of the SSI regulations has, however, resulted in some controversies over airport\nsecurity procedures, employee accountability, passenger screening, and airport secrecy agreements. \nSome experts believe that too much information has been kept from the public in these\ncircumstances. TSA states, however, that protecting SSI is warranted because of the need to protect\ntransportation systems.\n  A fundamental issue in this controversy is the tension between securing the nation's\ntransportation systems and keeping the public informed. Democratic governments benefit from an\ninformed citizenry; however, broad openness may provide potential enemies with information that\nenables attacks on the transportation infrastructure. What level of risk resulting from public access\nto SSI is acceptable to policymakers and the public? What alternatives are available to the present\nsystem, and what are their strengths and weaknesses?\n  This report provides background information on and analysis of issues concerning the SSI\nregulations. Additionally, it identifies the transportation security and information issues at the heart\nof this debate. Finally, the report outlines and assesses policy options for Congress, including\nendorsing current regulations, giving greater specificity to TSA's protection requirements, setting\ntime limits for protection, creating an advisory commission, requiring periodic congressional\nbriefings, or establishing an oversight board. This report will be updated as events warrant.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32425",
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      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law",
    "Economic Policy"
  ]
}