anticipated computerized passenger pre-screening system has been wracked with problems. Congress created TSA in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate security over a broad area of transportation sectors. This includes oversight of the federal work force of nearly 50,000 airport passenger and bag screeners. TSA was part of the Transportation Department before moving to homeland security in 2003. But its responsibilities have diminished as the Homeland Security Department has evolved. Officials said Chertoff's homeland security review could result in TSA losing more authority -- as in maritime security. Or the agency could win new oversight duties. Some in Congress are pushing hard to hand airport screening functions back to the private sector, which the government would oversee. Most of TSA's budget is dedicated to passenger and bag screening at 429 commercial airports and airports now have the option under federal law to switch back to private screening, which was overseen by airlines prior to the 2001 attacks. But the response from airports to changing again has been limited because of concerns about liability, cost and potential disruptions caused by another transition. --SP 2245 Local Time 1945 GMT
