Hinson Introduces the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act
Legislation Would End Preferential TSA Security Screening Practices for Members of Congress
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act, which would require Members of Congress to undergo the same Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures as all other airline passengers and prohibit the use of federal funds to provide U.S. Senators and House members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints.
The legislation, led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), passed the Senate unanimously on Friday, March 20.
“Thanks to Democrats’ political games, TSA agents are working without pay and many American families are facing four-plus hours wait times at airports during spring break. Some Members of Congress are avoiding the chaos they’ve created by getting preferential treatment and skipping the lines at airports. My bill with Senator John Cornyn will eliminate these perks and ensure they face the consequences of inaction. Members of Congress should not be able to skip the line while their constituents wait.” — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
“Members of Congress should not receive special privileges to bypass normal TSA security screenings at airports, which is why I introduced and passed a bill out of the Senate last week to end this preferential treatment for good. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Hinson for joining my effort to restore fair practices for all airport travelers by introducing companion legislation in the House, and I urge other Members to support our mission to stop this unfair perk.” — Senator John Cornyn
Background:
Historically, Members of Congress have received special treatment at airports, including expedited security screening. In some cases, they also receive “courtesy escorts” through airport terminals provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or airport police. Amid the partial federal government shutdown and staffing shortages, TSA suspended special escort services for Members of Congress. The ongoing shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has brought to light the fundamental issue of fairness between Americans – who have been forced to wait in hours-long security screening lines, endure travel disruptions, and face grueling flight delays – and the Members of Congress who represent them.
The End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act would:
- Require Members of Congress to undergo the same TSA screening procedures as all other airline passengers and prohibit the use of federal funds to provide them with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints;
- Bar Members from bypassing standard screening or receiving priority treatment based on their official status, while allowing them to continue participating in publicly available programs such as TSA PreCheck or other trusted traveler programs;
- And maintain TSA’s ability to implement risk-based security programs available to the public.
Full bill text can be found here. Exclusive reporting by Fox News can be found here.