Bill Would Use Lost Change To Help American Troops

March 11, 2012

Lost change  would help go to help American troops under a bill  by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller.

Miller’s “Lost Change” bill would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to United Service Organizations (USO) for its airport programs in support of the military. The bill has passed the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

In fiscal 2010, over $400,000 was collected at TSA airport security checkpoints.  That money is then used to support the TSA’s budget.

“The TSA has been keeping the money from your change purse to pay for their bloated bureaucracy,” said Miller. “If TSA representatives get to play ‘finders keepers’ with your hard-earned cash, what’s the incentive to try to get the loose change to its rightful owners?”

The USO is a non-profit organization that is chartered by the U.S. Congress.  Each USO airport center provides a place for servicemen and women to enjoy a welcoming atmosphere, connect with family, and utilize the services provided by the USO.  Last year, USO centers were visited over 8 million times.

“Congressman Miller is a strong advocate for our men and women in uniform, and I commend him today for this bill that will help support the USO that serves our military as they leave and return in our airports.  I am pleased this bill passed the subcommittee today,” said Transportation Security Subcommittee Chairman Mike Rogers.

“I would much rather see unclaimed change go to help military personnel on their way to and from the battlefield,” Miller added.  “The lost change should be put to good use, and I know the USO will make those thousands of coins have a positive impact on millions of our nation’s warriors.  I applaud Chairman Rogers’ efforts in helping to get this bill through committee, and I look forward to its final passage.

Comments

9 Responses to “Bill Would Use Lost Change To Help American Troops”

  1. 429SCJ on March 13th, 2012 4:54 am

    James you are right to say let us agree to diagree. The world is made of many different people, with different values and perspectives. If you were to conduct a survey in our area, you would find many Veterans and family members of Military that would find your view, a little different, not that that is a bad thing, it just does not mix well within that set I used Toronto as a metaphor, for that which seems alien to the concensus. I assure you Jim there is nothing personal here. I am just glad we both stand for something.

  2. Military wife on March 12th, 2012 5:27 pm

    I think it would be nice for the money to go to the USO. They do so much more than provide coffee and doughnuts. They have showers, cots and an area for service members to rest during lay overs. These guys and girls travel for hours on end and the USO provides a safe haven for them to have a little down time. I’m not arguing politics here. I honestly do not care where the money goes. There are still enough red-blooded. patriotic Americans out there to fund the USO. I’m just saying it would be nice for them to get a little extra. When my husband left, going to Iraq the last time, he was able to make a video, while reading a book for our son at the USO in Houston. When we got that video, our little guy would watch it over and over and blow kisses and tell his Daddy “I love you” a hundred times. That’s what I think of when I hear USO.

  3. James Broel on March 12th, 2012 4:40 pm

    Sure 429SCJ we can let popular support decide and prevail but I still reserve the right to call out things that do not mske sense in my view. Popular support can sometimes not be the most prudent or most just in all cases. I don’t consider a USO waiting area as Club Med either.

  4. 429SCJ on March 12th, 2012 12:21 pm

    Sorry James, I did not mean to be insensitive toward you and sensitive regarding the USO. Let Popular Support decide and prevail. P.S. it is not club med, mostly doughnuts and coffee, a soda sandwich, and comradery. A a place for the wait.

  5. James Broel on March 12th, 2012 8:41 am

    So 429SCJ, you feel a need to attack me as thinking I’m from Toronto just because I don’t share the exact same belief as you? And sure, right now it’s a free country and this is a way to express an opinion. You have one. I have one. But we should agree to disagree and not make personal attacks that don’t go anywhere.

    I fully understand the concept of the USO in airports for military personnel but based on the story presented, I don’t see the need for additional money given to them that is unclaimed during the TSA checkpoints.

    How does change get to be unclaimed? Does someone leave a bag of coins during the check process and quickly dash off to a plane forgetting about the bag of coins?

  6. 429SCJ on March 12th, 2012 7:39 am

    HI James Broel, That is an interesting theory you have. I would bet it would make for some interesting conversation at say the VFW, or with any of our veterans. Just a reminder, your not in Toronto anymore Jim. The USO is a good thing. We have troops that are young and often away from home for the first time, traveling through unfamiliar places. The USO is a good place for these soilders to have to rest, a place to gather with peers and await their flight, I am sure a seasoned operator such as yourself Jim, can appreciate that.

  7. James Broel on March 11th, 2012 2:07 pm

    So if we give this money to the USO should the TSA be forced to have less of a budget for our safety at airports? From the article I believe it says the USO is chartered as a non profit by the Congress. It isn’t supposedly TSA staff that keep the found money…supposedly it goes back into the budget of the TSA.

  8. 429SCJ on March 11th, 2012 12:39 pm

    I think Rep Miller is a baby kissing, cigar passing, hand shakin politician. I also think he has a good idea.

  9. Kathy on March 11th, 2012 10:24 am

    If he isn’t he won’t get your votes, self-serving I would say.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News