TSA review of new passenger screening system due next month

The Transportation Security Administration next month is expected to complete an overhaul of an airline passenger-screening system, according to a Government Accountability Office inspector.

"In early 2006, TSA suspended development of Secure Flight and initiated a reassessment," Cathleen Berrick, director of GAO's homeland security and justice division, told the House Homeland Security Intelligence Subcommittee in response to written questions. She added that the agency expects to finish the reassessment before the end of September.

Secure Flight is expected to replace the "no-fly list" currently used by airlines, which has mistakenly ensnarled even some lawmakers.

GAO on Monday released Berrick's responses to written questions from the subcommittee based on a June 14 hearing on Secure Flight. She said the benefits of Secure Flight over the current system "are uncertain" until TSA finishes its review and makes decisions about the future direction of the program.