Transportation Security Administration is a United States government agency responsible for protecting the nation’s transportation systems. It aims to ensure the continued freedom of movement for people and commerce in the United States. The agency, sometimes called the TSA, works to prevent criminal acts involving aircraft, airports, bridges, highways, pipelines, ports, and railways. The TSA is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and deliberately crashed two into the World Trade Center in New York City and one into the Pentagon Building near Washington, D.C. The fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. About 3,000 people died in the attacks. In November 2001, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA). The act established the TSA and introduced new security measures to prevent future attacks against the nation’s transportation system.
The TSA was established as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 2003, the TSA was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, a government department devoted largely to fighting terrorism.
See also Transportation, Department of .
