Airport Alert: House Passes TSA Bills to Strengthen Security and Improve Efficiency

July 13, 2026

This afternoon, under a fast-track procedure to advance noncontroversial pieces of legislation, the House of Representatives approved three Transportation Security Administration-related bills aimed at strengthening aviation security, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the passenger experience. Specifically, the full House passed by voice vote:

• H.R. 8770, the Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2026, or SAFEGUARDS Act. This bill would dedicate revenue from the September 11th Passenger Security Fee to accelerate TSA's deployment of critical security technologies beginning in fiscal year 2028 (when the current fee diversion to deficit reduction has ended).The legislation would double fee revenue for the aviation security capital fund (from $250 to $500 million) for checked baggage explosive detection equipment and establish a new checkpoint security technology fund ($250 million) to procure the latest screening technologies. At current funding levels, deployment of many of these technologies would not be complete until the 2040s. Accelerating these investments would strengthen security while improving checkpoint efficiency for travelers.
  
  While Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) raised concern that this bill could cause unintended consequences to funding available to support the TSA workforce because it does not raise any additional fee revenue beyond what is currently being collected, he did not object to its passage.
  
  
• H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act. This bill would extend TSA's authority to provide reimbursable screening services outside traditional terminal checkpoints through FY 2031 and expand the pilot program from eight to 14 locations. It would give airports greater flexibility to meet evolving operational and passenger needs while maintaining robust security standards.
  
  
• H.R. 9388, the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act. This bill would extend TSA's One-Stop Security pilot program through December 2032. This pilot program allows connecting passengers and their checked baggage arriving from certified foreign last-point-of-departure airports to bypass duplicative TSA rescreening upon arrival in the United States. Currently, the pilot program is available only to connecting passengers on select flights to/from London Heathrow airport to/from either Atlanta or Dallas Fort Worth International airports. This program reduces congestion in the international arrival halls, improves passenger experience, and strengthens international connectivity while raising international aviation security.

AAAE has repeatedly advocated for the passage of the SAFEGUARDS Act and supports extensions for the current reimbursable screening services and one-stop security pilot programs.

In addition, the House of Representative considered two bills that authorized TSA to pilot ways to improve travel for military members and families. The House approved H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act on a voice vote. Later this evening, the House is expected to approve H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act.

What’s Next:

The Senate Commerce Committee favorably advanced its version of the SAFEGUARDS Act (S. 2378) on April 14, 2026. It is unclear when the full Senate will consider its version of the SAFEGUARDS Act or the other four House-passed bills. We will keep you updated on any legislative progress.