WASHINGTON A scathing congressional report says the Transportation Security Administration is a bloated agency plagued by significant problems.

The report, which was issued 10 years after the agency was created, was criticized by a TSA spokesman, who called it a disservice to the agencys workers.

According to the report, entitled "A Decade Later: A Call for TSA Reform," the agency is:

An overblown bureaucracy with 65,000 workers, including nearly 4,000 at headquarters and 9,656 administrators in the field.

Ineffective, with 25,000 security breaches in the past decade.

A sponsor of inadequate technology, including 500 advanced-imaging technology machines costing $122 million that are "easily thwarted" and $39 million wasted on explosive-detection "puffer" machines that were unreliable.

"Unfortunately, TSA has lost its way," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation Committee. "It is time for reform. TSA must become a thinking, risk-based, flexible agency that analyzes risks, sets security standards and audits security performance."

But TSA spokesman Greg Soule said the agency has developed a highly trained workforce that has screened five billion passengers and prevented more than 1,100 guns from being brought onto planes this year.

"At a time when our country's aviation system is safer, stronger and more secure than it was 10 years ago, this report is an unfortunate disservice to the dedicated men and women of TSA who are on the front lines every day protecting the traveling public," he said.

TSA is developing risk-based security measures, such as an experimental pre-check program for frequent fliers to move more swiftly through screening at a handful of airports.

"Each of these initiatives enhances our ability to provide the most effective security, focusing on those who present the highest risk, in the most efficient way possible," Soule said. The congressional report recommends:

Elevating the TSA administrator's authority.

Revising the luggage-screening program to allow more competition with private security companies.

Reducing staff.