U.S. Senator Charles Schumer wants federal officials to move faster to require mass transit employees nationwide be screened through federal terrorism watch lists.
He's calling on the Department of Homeland Security to enforce a recommendation made nearly a decade ago that rail and transit agency employees be cross-checked with the watch lists. Schumer is quoted as saying it's "shocking that this commonsense safety gap was never closed."
Records show the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration have an action pending to require the screenings. But it hasn't been finalized.
Schumer says the agencies need to move faster.