ND lawmakers ask TSA to replace body scanners

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — Federal lawmakers representing North Dakota have called on the Transportation Security Administration to develop a plan to replace the full-body scanners being yanked from airports in Bismarck, Minot and Grand Forks.

U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp joined U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer in writing a letter to TSA Administrator John Pistole, who oversees scanners in Category III airports, including the three largest in North Dakota.

TSA is removing the full-body scanners to comply with the FAA Modernization and Reform Act. The goal is to replace the first generation of body scanners, which were criticized for being too revealing, with new scanners that display more cartoon-like images of the human body.

"While we appreciate the TSA's compliance with the law, we are concerned the execution of this provision leaves North Dakota airports lacking in essential security equipment," the delegation wrote, according to the Williston Herald.

"In order to preserve the integrity of aviation security, we urge you and your staff to work with our airport managers so that passenger safety and security continues to be highest priority."

The TSA's plan to remove the new scanners from 49 small airports and reinstall them at bigger facilities has sparked criticism from managers at dozens of the smaller airports nationwide.

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