US Congress tries to block TSA's policy allowing small knives during flights

Washington, Mar. 22 : US Transportation Security Administration's plan to allow small knives on planes have sparked a revolt in Congress.

Republicans and Democrats have vowed to block the change and warned that they are introducing a bill to reinstitute the ban.

Nearly 130 House members of both the parties have sent a letter to TSA Administrator John Pistole telling him to forgo the policy, the New York Post reports.

In the letter, they noted that the 9/11 terrorists used box-cutters to hijack four airliners.

Republican Michael Grimm, who co-authored the legislation and is circulating the letter for signatures, said that the level of congressional opposition should serve as a wake-up call to TSA.

According to the report, Grimm added that the decision to lift the ban on knives was done without any reason and without consulting stakeholders, flight attendants and air marshals and the general public.

Pistole, however, told a House panel that he intended to continue the policy unless Congress blocks it.