WASHINGTON (9 December) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting immediate assurance that mitigating measures are being implemented by the Department after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inadvertently revealed sensitive airport passenger screening practices when it posted its “Aviation Security Screening Management Standard Operating Procedures” online.

Bilirakis joined Full committee Ranking Member Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Ranking Member Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) in signing the letter, which can be viewed here.

"There is no question that this is a serious self-inflicted breach of our nation’s security,” said Bilirakis. “Revealing information of this nature is completely unacceptable and will provide terrorists with a guide to circumventing airport security. DHS needs to act to deal with the effects of this sensitive information being made public.”

The 93-page TSA operating guide details various procedures and information ranging from screening passengers and checked baggage to technical settings used by X-ray machines and explosives detectors. It also includes pictures of credentials used by Central Intelligence Agency employees and federal air marshals, and identifies countries whose passport holders are automatically subjected to additional review.