Congresswoman Laurel M. Lee | Laurel M. Lee Official Website
Congresswoman Laurel M. Lee | Laurel M. Lee Official Website
Today marked the official opening of Tampa International Airport's expanded Airside E Security Checkpoint. Congresswoman Laurel Lee, representing Florida's 15th district, attended the event. Last year, she spearheaded efforts with other Congressional leaders from the Tampa Bay Area to secure funding for new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening equipment at the 19,542-square-foot checkpoint.
Congresswoman Lee expressed her satisfaction with the project, stating, "What a pleasure it was to see months of hard work come to fruition today at the Tampa International Airport." She emphasized her role in securing funds for the TSA equipment aimed at enhancing security processes and ensuring safe and efficient travel for residents and visitors. "The Tampa Bay Area has seen monumental growth in recent years," she noted, adding her commitment to investing in technology and infrastructure that supports regional growth.
Joining Congresswoman Lee were several key figures: Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano, TSA Federal Security Director Kirk Skinner, and Suffolk Construction’s Tampa General Manager Jim Scarpace. Lopano highlighted the timing of the opening during a busy travel period. "With our busy Spring Break travel period kicking off this month, this is a great time to be able to celebrate the opening of this checkpoint," he said. He also pointed out that TPA's rapid growth necessitated modernizing and enhancing traveler safety and security.
The newly expanded space is a significant improvement for Airside E, which was initially designed before the TSA's establishment and opened in 2002. The upgrade includes additional queueing space allowing expansion from six to seven lanes equipped with advanced screening technology.
Last July, Congresswoman Lee led an initiative involving other Tampa Bay Congressional delegates—Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Rep. Vern Buchanan, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Scott Franklin, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Rep. Greg Steube—to request new TSA screening equipment for TPA.
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