Watchdog Exposes Holes in TSA Terror Watch List

Transportation Security Administration officials failed to identify 73 workers with links to terrorism, according to a new report by Homeland Security's inspector general.

"TSA acknowledged that these individuals were cleared for access to secure airport areas despite representing a potential transportation security threat," the report said.
   
The audit also revealed that the TSA didn't have effective measures in place to keep prospective employees with criminal histories and illegal status from getting a job at airports in the U.S.

The people in question were employed by major airlines, airport vendors and other employers. But the TSA failed to identify any link to terrorism during the vetting process because of gaps in accessing the terrorism watch list database.

The breach in TSA security procedures comes just a week after an internal report found shocking failures in airport security.

Undercover federal agents had a 95 percent success rate at sneaking fake bombs and weapons right past TSA checkpoints.

"The terrorists do watch us. They do watch and go to school on how they can learn from possible vulnerabilities," former TSA Administrator John Pistole said.

The agents were able to smuggle items such as mock explosives and weapons through TSA checkpoints in 67 out of 70 attempts.

"Any time there is a high rate of misses, that causes concern," Pistole said.

Meanwhile, the TSA is now coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure it has access to all necessary terrorism watch list information.