Bill Summary
The "End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026" is a piece of legislation aimed at ensuring that Members of Congress do not receive preferential treatment during airport security screenings.
**Key Provisions:**
1. **Standard Security Screening**: The Act prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from using any federal funds to provide expedited or preferential access to security screenings for Members of Congress. This means that all Members must undergo the same security procedures as other passengers without any exemptions due to their official status.
2. **Definitions**: The legislation defines key terms, such as "Member of Congress" and "screening location," to clarify its scope and application. It also references "Trusted Traveler Programs," which are available to the general public and allow for expedited screening for low-risk travelers.
3. **Participation in Trusted Traveler Programs**: Members of Congress may participate in these publicly available programs, but their access must not be based on their congressional status.
4. **Enforcement and Reporting**: The TSA Administrator is tasked with updating policies to comply with this Act and must report to Congress on implementation and compliance within 180 days of the enactment.
Overall, the Act seeks to eliminate any special privileges for Congress members at airports, promoting equality in security procedures for all travelers.
Possible Impacts
The "End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026" aims to eliminate preferential screening for Members of Congress at airports. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Equal Treatment for All Travelers**: By eliminating expedited screening for Members of Congress, this legislation reinforces the principle of equal treatment under the law. Regular travelers may feel a sense of fairness and transparency in the security screening process, as they will no longer perceive that lawmakers receive special privileges. This could enhance public trust in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the overall airport security process.
2. **Impact on Congressional Travel**: Members of Congress may face longer wait times at airport security, which could affect their travel schedules and time management. This might lead to changes in how they plan their travel, potentially requiring them to allow more time for airport procedures. As a result, Congressional offices may need to adjust their logistics and travel arrangements accordingly, which could indirectly affect their productivity.
3. **Encouragement of Trusted Traveler Program Participation**: While the act prohibits preferential treatment for Members of Congress, it also allows them to participate in publicly available Trusted Traveler Programs (like TSA PreCheck). This could lead to an increase in enrollment among lawmakers in these programs, which might influence public perceptions of these programs. If more Members of Congress advocate for and utilize these programs, it could lead to broader public awareness and potentially increased enrollment by ordinary travelers, enhancing the overall efficiency of airport security for everyone.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4123 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4123
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To prohibit preferential screening for Members of Congress at airports,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``End Special Treatment for Congress
at Airports Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
(2) Member of congress.--The term ``Member of Congress''
has the meaning given that term in section 13101 of title 5,
United States Code.
(3) Screening location.--The term ``screening location''
has the meaning given that term in section 1540.5 of title 49,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) Trusted traveler program.--The term ``Trusted Traveler
Program'' means any of the following:
(A) Global Entry.
(B) The PreCheck Program.
(C) SENTRI.
(D) NEXUS.
(E) Any other United States Government program that
issues a unique identifier, such as a known traveler
number, that the Transportation Security Administration
accepts as validating that the individual holding such
identifier is a member of a known low-risk population.
(F) Any other program implemented by the
Transportation Security Administration under section
109(a)(3) of the Aviation and Transportation Security
Act (49 U.S.C. 114 note; Public Law 107-71).
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT FOR STANDARD SECURITY SCREENING.
(a) In General.--None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Transportation Security Administration shall be used
to provide or facilitate the provision of a Member of Congress with
expedited or preferential access to or through security screenings
required pursuant to section 44901 of title 49, United States Code.
(b) No Expedited Access.--A Member of Congress shall not--
(1) be exempt from Federal passenger and baggage screening
procedures of the Transportation Security Administration; or
(2) receive priority or expedited access to a screening
location on the basis of the official position of such Member
of Congress.
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed--
(1) to limit the authority of the Transportation Security
Administration to implement risk-based security programs
available to the general public; or
(2) to prohibit Members of Congress from participating in a
publicly available Trusted Traveler Program, provided such
participation is not based on the official positions of such
Members of Congress.
SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Policy Implementation.--The Administrator shall update policies
and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance with this Act.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation of, and compliance with, this Act.
Passed the Senate March 19, 2026.
Attest:
Secretary.
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4123
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To prohibit preferential screening for Members of Congress at airports,
and for other purposes.