They don't need those stinkin' badges?

The WSJ.com's Washington Wire blog had this item last week:

So Why Do They Need Those ID Badges, Anyway? [WSJ.com, 1.4.2007]

Rep. Lamar Smith suggested that national security may have been threatened after learning that some 3,700 Transportation Security Administration identification cards and uniforms have been lost or stolen since 2003.

The Texas Republican recommended sanctions for workers who lose their badges or uniforms or replacing badge with a biometic identifier that cannot be appropriated. The TSA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for security at the nation's airports and for other transportation systems.

The TSA, however, doesn't seem too worried about the losses. A spokesman said that badges and uniforms do not provide workers with any special access and "pose no security threat."

"The only thing it will get you is a discount cup of coffee at the airport," said spokesman Christopher White.