United StatesBill would let TSA test faster airport screening for adults traveling with young children
If it becomes law, the head of the Transportation Security Administration could start a two-year pilot at some airports to speed up security screening for adults traveling with children 12 and under.
What it does
The TSA head could start a two-year pilot to speed up airport security screening for adults and children 12 and under, as long as security is not weakened.
Passengers would still be screened by their vetting status, and only those with a boarding pass showing expedited eligibility could use faster lanes.
Pilot airports would be chosen first for high numbers of travelers with children, and Congress would get a briefing within 270 days.
Argument forFaster screening for adults with young children could cut stress and wait times for families, and free up regular lanes for other travelers.
Argument againstExtra lanes and staff for families might take screening resources from other lanes and could lengthen waits for other passengers at busy checkpoints.
More detail
The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration may set up a pilot program at airports to speed up access to security screening. It covers adult passengers and the child passengers 12 years old and under who travel with them. The Administrator may do this only if faster access does not weaken security rules. The bill says the Administrator may set up the pilot, not that one must. If started, the pilot runs for two years.
If a pilot starts, passengers must still be screened by their Secure Flight vetting status, and only passengers whose boarding pass shows PreCheck or similar eligibility may enter expedited lanes. It applies to the pilot's airports and to screening staff. Local TSA managers may open or close checkpoint lanes and move resources based on passenger volume.
The Administrator must give priority to airports with many passengers traveling with children, and consider space and staffing. The Administrator must brief congressional committees. It applies to choosing pilot airports and reporting to House and Senate committees on homeland security and on commerce, science, and transportation. The briefing is due within 270 days after the pilot is established.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 14Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Latest
- Jul 13Mr. Garbarino moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Vote recorded On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Result: Passed.House
- Jul 13Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4395-4396)
- Jul 13DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8897.
- Jul 13At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Jul 13Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4403-4404)
- Jul 13Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 12 (Roll no. 235). (text: CR H4395-4396)Passed House
- Jul 13Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 9Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-735.
- Jul 9Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639.
- Jun 24Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged
- Jun 24Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jun 24Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- May 20Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- May 19Introduced in House
- May 19Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.Introduced
TransportationNational Security