Biometric technologies are currently used for a number of congressionally authorized or mandated security applications throughout the U.S. government. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-71) granted the Transportation Security Administration the authority to employ biometrics for passenger screening and airport access control. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) required the Department of Homeland Security to operate a biometric entry and exit data system to verify the identity of foreign nationals seeking to enter or exit the United States.