Claire Valdez Draws Backlash Over Calls to Abolish TSA PreCheck, Nationalize Airlines After NY-7 Win
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 28
Claire Valdez Draws Backlash Over Calls to Abolish TSA PreCheck, Nationalize Airlines After NY-7 Win
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 28
Summary
A May 1 podcast clip resurfaced after Claire Valdez won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in New York’s 7th District, triggering online backlash over her call to scrap TSA PreCheck and put airlines under federal control.
Valdez cast the ideas as a response to airline profits, fees and weak passenger protections, arguing travelers have few alternatives because the U.S. lacks a robust national rail network.
Critics said ending PreCheck would lengthen security lines and weaken risk-based screening, while others argued nationalizing airlines would hand control of the industry to whichever administration is in power.
Valdez’s published transportation platform backs shifting federal money from roads to transit, walking and biking, but does not mention abolishing PreCheck or nationalizing airlines.
The flare-up lands as New York’s primary season spotlights the Democratic Party’s left wing, with democratic socialist candidates pressing broader progressive demands.