Sponsors (35)
The bill ensures short-term continuity of TSA screening and operations by using prior-year unobligated balances and a 180-day backstop, but it locks funding at prior-year levels, reduces one-time funds for other needs, and risks sidelining regular appropriations and future funding cliffs.
Travelers and airports keep screening and security services running at prior-year levels, reducing delays and safety risks during a funding lapse.
TSA employees and contractors continue working without interruption because critical TSA programs are funded from unobligated balances.
Creates a clear 180-day short-term funding backstop, giving TSA predictable funding if Congress delays appropriations.
Funding is capped at prior-year rates, which can prevent increases needed to cover inflation or new security needs during prolonged lapses.
The bill uses unobligated balances from prior legislation, reducing the pool of one-time funds available for other priorities or emergencies.
Extending prior-year authorities into the next fiscal year could bypass annual appropriations decisions, weakening Congress's control over spending.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits TSA to use specified unobligated balances to continue operations during an appropriations lapse at prior-year funding rates for up to 180 days.
Official title: To provide for funding for all Transportation Security Administration activities for a certain period in the event of a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 10, 2025 by Debbie Dingell · Last progress October 10, 2025
Requires the TSA Administrator to keep Transportation Security Administration programs and activities operating during any lapse in TSA appropriations by using specified unobligated balances previously made available. Funding during a lapse is limited to the prior year’s appropriation rate (or the most recent continuing resolution rate if no regular appropriation was enacted), can be used from the first day of the lapse up to enactment of an appropriation or 180 days, and carries forward into the next fiscal year if the lapse extends through year-end. Continued operations remain subject to the same terms, conditions, and authorities that applied on the first day of the lapse, and the funding source is the unobligated amounts identified by earlier law (amounts under section 90003 of Public Law 119–21).