Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would require Congress members to undergo the same Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures as other airline passengers.
Congress members receive special treatment at airports including expedited security screenings and courtesy escorts through airport terminals. The TSA has suspended special escort services during the recent partial federal government shutdown and staffing shortages.
The End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act would require Congress members to undergo the same TSA screening procedures as all other airline passengers and bars Congress members from bypassing standard screenings or receiving priority treatment based on their official status. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds to provide Congress members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints.
Congress members still would be permitted to participate in publicly available programs such as TSA PreCheck or other trusted traveler programs.
The bill also maintains the TSA’s ability to implement risk-based security programs available to the public.
“Members of Congress should not be able to skip the line while their constituents wait,” U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who introduced the bill, said.
The legislation passed the U.S. Senate on March 20. It was introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).