Changes

U.S. Senator [[Barbara Boxer]] from California wrote this provision into ATSA.<ref>{{cite web | title= Boxer Calls Administration's Plan To Reduce Air Marshals 'Unacceptable,' Calls On Ridge To Fully Fund Homeland Security Needs  | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm | date=2004-03-09 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Senator Barbara Boxer's official senatorial biography | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm | date=2008-11-16 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15 |archiveurl = http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Senator Barbara Boxer's official campaign biography | url=http://www.barbaraboxer.com/about/ | date=2008-11-16 | work=[http://www.barbaraboxer.com/ ''Official Campaign Website for Barbara Boxer''] | accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref>  Senator Boxer also called for better protection of the identities of Federal Air Marshals and greater oversight of the Federal Air Marshal Service.<ref>{{cite web | title= Boxer Amendments to Strengthen Homeland Security Included in Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill  | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=226143 | date=2004-09-14 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080731050031/http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=226143 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-07-31}}</ref>

U.S. Senator [[Barbara Boxer]] from California wrote this provision into ATSA.<ref>{{cite web | title= Boxer Calls Administration's Plan To Reduce Air Marshals 'Unacceptable,' Calls On Ridge To Fully Fund Homeland Security Needs  | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm | date=2004-03-09 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Senator Barbara Boxer's official senatorial biography | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm | date=2008-11-16 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15 |archiveurl = http://boxer.senate.gov/en/senator/biography.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Senator Barbara Boxer's official campaign biography | url=http://www.barbaraboxer.com/about/ | date=2008-11-16 | work=[http://www.barbaraboxer.com/ ''Official Campaign Website for Barbara Boxer''] | accessdate=2008-11-16}}</ref>  Senator Boxer also called for better protection of the identities of Federal Air Marshals and greater oversight of the Federal Air Marshal Service.<ref>{{cite web | title= Boxer Amendments to Strengthen Homeland Security Included in Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill  | url=http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=226143 | date=2004-09-14 | work=[http://www.boxer.senate.gov/ Website of the U.S. Senate] | accessdate=2008-11-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080731050031/http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=226143 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-07-31}}</ref>

FAM Robert MacLean was rebuffed by his TSA managers and a [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] (DHS/OIG) field agent, so he warned the public by going to NBC News. MacLean was quoted, anonymously, along with other unnamed sources, in a story written by [[Brock N. Meeks]], Chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC.com.<ref>{{cite web | title= Whistleblowers hit turbulence; TSA ex-employees say they've been blackballed for revealing problems  | url=http://www.airportbusiness.com/online/printer.jsp?id=14960 | date=2007-10-14 | work=[http://www.nj.com/ ''New Jersey Star Ledger''] | accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> That article broke the story and set off a chain reaction among national media outlets resulting in dozens of articles and televised broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web | title= Air Marshals Pulled from 'Key Flights' | url=http://onoekeh.blogspot.com/2003_07_01_archive.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ NBC News] | accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref>  The message MacLean disclosed was not marked as [[Sensitive Security Information]] (SSI), the often abused unclassified information control mark used to protect information within the DHS's [[Transportation Security Administration]] (TSA).<ref>{{cite news | title= Ex-air marshal fired over leak sues TSA | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/31/nation/na-marshal31 | date=2006-10-31 | work=[http://www.latimes.com/ Los Angeles Times] | accessdate=2009-06-18 | first=Nicole | last=Gaouette}}</ref> Given that text message was sent nationally to all FAMS employees' unencrypted and password-protected cellular phones and did not contain SSI marking, MacLean was unaware of any obligation to protect the information.  For employees dealing with traditional [[Classified Information]], which is typically much more sensitive that SSI, they must be made aware of its status so as to protect it accordingly.

FAM Robert MacLean was rebuffed by his TSA managers and a [[Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General]] (DHS/OIG) field agent, so he warned the public by going to NBC News. MacLean was quoted, anonymously, along with other unnamed sources, in a story written by Brock N. Meeks, Chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC.com.<ref>{{cite web | title= Whistleblowers hit turbulence; TSA ex-employees say they've been blackballed for revealing problems  | url=http://www.airportbusiness.com/online/printer.jsp?id=14960 | date=2007-10-14 | work=[http://www.nj.com/ ''New Jersey Star Ledger''] | accessdate=2007-12-08}}</ref> That article broke the story and set off a chain reaction among national media outlets resulting in dozens of articles and televised broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web | title= Air Marshals Pulled from 'Key Flights' | url=http://onoekeh.blogspot.com/2003_07_01_archive.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ NBC News] | accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref>  The message MacLean disclosed was not marked as Sensitive Security Information (SSI), the often abused UNclassified information control mark used to protect information within the DHS's [[Transportation Security Administration]] (TSA).<ref>{{cite news | title= Ex-air marshal fired over leak sues TSA | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/31/nation/na-marshal31 | date=2006-10-31 | work=[http://www.latimes.com/ Los Angeles Times] | accessdate=2009-06-18 | first=Nicole | last=Gaouette}}</ref> Given that text message was sent nationally to all FAMS employees' unencrypted and password-protected cellular phones and did not contain SSI marking, MacLean was unaware of any obligation to protect the information.  For employees dealing with traditional CLASSIFIED Information, which is typically much more sensitive that SSI, they must be made aware of its status so as to protect it accordingly.

FAM Robert MacLean's disclosure helped draw public scrutiny and bipartisan congressional outrage<ref>{{cite news | title= Uproar Over Air Marshal Cuts | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/31/terror/main566052.shtml?source=search_story | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://www.cbsnews.com/ CBS News] | accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> to TSA's plan which rapidly led to its reversal.<ref>{{cite web | title= Ex-air marshal to sue over 'SSI' label | url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/oct/29/20061029-115609-8718r/?page=all#pagebreak | date=2006-10-30 | work=[[The Washington Times]] | accessdate=2011-06-26}}</ref>  TSA first denied that air marshals would have been shifted, but the morning after MacLean's disclosure, U.S. Senators [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] (New York), [[Barbara Boxer]] (California), and [[Charles Schumer]] (New York)<ref>{{cite news | title= Team Bush Scrubs Plan to Cut Air Marshal Force | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2003/07/31/2003-07-31_team_bush_scrubs_plan_to_cut.html | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://www.nydailynews.com/ New York Daily News] | accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref> held video press conferences condemning the plan forcing the TSA to reverse its plan before going into effect.<ref>{{cite news | title= July 30, 2003 CNN Television Transcripts | url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0307/30/asb.00.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.cnn.com/ CNN] | accessdate=2008-11-24}}</ref>

FAM Robert MacLean's disclosure helped draw public scrutiny and bipartisan congressional outrage<ref>{{cite news | title= Uproar Over Air Marshal Cuts | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/31/terror/main566052.shtml?source=search_story | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://www.cbsnews.com/ CBS News] | accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> to TSA's plan which rapidly led to its reversal.<ref>{{cite web | title= Ex-air marshal to sue over 'SSI' label | url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/oct/29/20061029-115609-8718r/?page=all#pagebreak | date=2006-10-30 | work=[[The Washington Times]] | accessdate=2011-06-26}}</ref>  TSA first denied that air marshals would have been shifted, but the morning after MacLean's disclosure, U.S. Senators [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] (New York), [[Barbara Boxer]] (California), and [[Charles Schumer]] (New York)<ref>{{cite news | title= Team Bush Scrubs Plan to Cut Air Marshal Force | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2003/07/31/2003-07-31_team_bush_scrubs_plan_to_cut.html | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://www.nydailynews.com/ New York Daily News] | accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref> held video press conferences condemning the plan forcing the TSA to reverse its plan before going into effect.<ref>{{cite news | title= July 30, 2003 CNN Television Transcripts | url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0307/30/asb.00.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.cnn.com/ CNN] | accessdate=2008-11-24}}</ref>

{{cquote|<blockquote>President [[George W. Bush]] should exercise some leadership by realizing that tax cuts for the wealthy take money away from the protection of the American people<ref>{{cite web | title= Agency Overseeing Air Marshals Asks to Divert Program's Funds | url=http://www.cuacalifornia.com/WSJ_FAMS_high_risk_flight_31_JULY_2003.pdf | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://online.wsj.com/home-page The Wall Street Journal] | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref></blockquote>}}

{{cquote|<blockquote>President [[George W. Bush]] should exercise some leadership by realizing that tax cuts for the wealthy take money away from the protection of the American people<ref>{{cite web | title= Agency Overseeing Air Marshals Asks to Divert Program's Funds | url=http://www.cuacalifornia.com/WSJ_FAMS_high_risk_flight_31_JULY_2003.pdf | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://online.wsj.com/home-page The Wall Street Journal] | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref></blockquote>}}

Congresswoman [[Carolyn B. Maloney]] of New York issued a press release on her official congressional website:

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney of New York issued a press release on her official congressional website:

{{cquote|<blockquote>One day its taking air marshals off the flights to avoid hotel costs at Motel 6, the next its holding back on training for them to do their jobs, all in the name of cost-cutting. I don't know what to expect next - they'll probably make air marshals fly stand-by. It's clear that they are playing a shell game with homeland security programs. It is essential that they tell us which programs are next to be cut. We shouldn't have to wake up one day to find out that airliners, ports, cargo or any other targets are unguarded because they have decided to cut the programs.<ref>{{cite web | title= FIRST, AIR MARSHALS WERE TO BE REMOVED, NOW, TRAINING TO BE CUT: TASK FORCE CHAIR ASK WHAT CUTS ARE NEXT? | url=http://www.maloney.house.gov/index.php?Itemid=52&id=418&option=com_content&task=view | date=2003-08-11 | work=[http://maloney.house.gov U.S. House of Representatives Official Website] | accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref></blockquote>}}

{{cquote|<blockquote>One day its taking air marshals off the flights to avoid hotel costs at Motel 6, the next its holding back on training for them to do their jobs, all in the name of cost-cutting. I don't know what to expect next - they'll probably make air marshals fly stand-by. It's clear that they are playing a shell game with homeland security programs. It is essential that they tell us which programs are next to be cut. We shouldn't have to wake up one day to find out that airliners, ports, cargo or any other targets are unguarded because they have decided to cut the programs.<ref>{{cite web | title= FIRST, AIR MARSHALS WERE TO BE REMOVED, NOW, TRAINING TO BE CUT: TASK FORCE CHAIR ASK WHAT CUTS ARE NEXT? | url=http://www.maloney.house.gov/index.php?Itemid=52&id=418&option=com_content&task=view | date=2003-08-11 | work=[http://maloney.house.gov U.S. House of Representatives Official Website] | accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref></blockquote>}}

Congressmen [[Bill Pascrell]], [[Jim Turner]], and [[James Langevin] together issued press releases about their letter to DHS Secretary [[Tom Ridge]]:

Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jim Turner, and James Langevin together issued press releases about their letter to DHS Secretary [[Tom Ridge]]:

Congressman [[Bill Pascrell]]:

Congressman Bill Pascrell:

{{cquote|<blockquote>The sheer idiocy of this determination is mind blowing. Only four days ago the TSA issued an urgent memo to all U.S. airlines and airport security managers detailing very specific intelligence related to hijacking and suicide missions by terrorists this summer.  So now is a good time to pull air marshals from cross-country flights. The four planes hijacked on September 11th were all scheduled cross-country flights. Couple this knowledge with the new intelligence warnings-the most specific to date-about current hijacking plots, and there is absolutely no excuse for the TSA to scale back security.<ref>{{cite news | title= PASCRELL: AIR MARSHAL DECISION AN ABOMINATION | url=http://pascrell.house.gov/list/press/nj08_pascrell/pr_030731_airmarshal.shtml | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://pascrell.house.gov ''Official Congressional website of Honorable Bill Pascrell''] | accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref></blockquote>}}

{{cquote|<blockquote>The sheer idiocy of this determination is mind blowing. Only four days ago the TSA issued an urgent memo to all U.S. airlines and airport security managers detailing very specific intelligence related to hijacking and suicide missions by terrorists this summer.  So now is a good time to pull air marshals from cross-country flights. The four planes hijacked on September 11th were all scheduled cross-country flights. Couple this knowledge with the new intelligence warnings-the most specific to date-about current hijacking plots, and there is absolutely no excuse for the TSA to scale back security.<ref>{{cite news | title= PASCRELL: AIR MARSHAL DECISION AN ABOMINATION | url=http://pascrell.house.gov/list/press/nj08_pascrell/pr_030731_airmarshal.shtml | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://pascrell.house.gov ''Official Congressional website of Honorable Bill Pascrell''] | accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref></blockquote>}}

Congressman [[James Langevin]]:

Congressman James Langevin:

{{cquote|<blockquote>"As reports of potential terrorist attacks on commercial airliners surface, homeland security officials should be strengthening the air marshal program, not weakening it. We cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to protecting the safety of Americans.  At a time of heightened alert, the thought of curbing the air marshal program to save costs on overnight hotel stays is absurd. Your statement today that 'every air marshal is being deployed' does not answer the question of whether air marshals are being removed from flights that would result in overnight hotel stays.  We note that such flights would typically be cross-country routes, like those hijacked on September 11.<ref>{{cite news | title= Langevin to Ridge: Removing Federal Air Marshals at a Time of Heightened Threat Defies Reason | url=http://langevin.house.gov/news/press-releases/2003/07/pr071803marshals.shtml | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://langevin.house.gov ''Official Congressional website of Honorable Jim Langevin''] | accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref></blockquote>}}

{{cquote|<blockquote>"As reports of potential terrorist attacks on commercial airliners surface, homeland security officials should be strengthening the air marshal program, not weakening it. We cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to protecting the safety of Americans.  At a time of heightened alert, the thought of curbing the air marshal program to save costs on overnight hotel stays is absurd. Your statement today that 'every air marshal is being deployed' does not answer the question of whether air marshals are being removed from flights that would result in overnight hotel stays.  We note that such flights would typically be cross-country routes, like those hijacked on September 11.<ref>{{cite news | title= Langevin to Ridge: Removing Federal Air Marshals at a Time of Heightened Threat Defies Reason | url=http://langevin.house.gov/news/press-releases/2003/07/pr071803marshals.shtml | date=2003-07-31 | work=[http://langevin.house.gov ''Official Congressional website of Honorable Jim Langevin''] | accessdate=2011-09-06}}</ref></blockquote>}}

Congressman [[Hal Rogers]] of Kentucky told Fox News:

Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky told Fox News:

{{cquote|<blockquote>The Federal Air Marshal program is absolutely critical to fighting terrorism and keeping the flying public safe. Given new warnings from DHS about possible hijacking attempts, it is foolish to even consider cutting back the number of air marshals on commercial flights.<ref>{{cite news | title= DHS: No Plan to Cut Number of Air Marshals | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,93311,00.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.foxnews.com/ ''Fox News''] | accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref></blockquote>}}

{{cquote|<blockquote>The Federal Air Marshal program is absolutely critical to fighting terrorism and keeping the flying public safe. Given new warnings from DHS about possible hijacking attempts, it is foolish to even consider cutting back the number of air marshals on commercial flights.<ref>{{cite news | title= DHS: No Plan to Cut Number of Air Marshals | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,93311,00.html | date=2003-07-30 | work=[http://www.foxnews.com/ ''Fox News''] | accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref></blockquote>}}