Sponsors (2)
The bill trades higher federal spending to extend and expand reimbursable airport screening—improving continuity and access for more small/regional airports—against continued limits on which airports qualify and increased costs to taxpayers.
Airports in smaller or underserved markets and the travelers who use them will be able to receive federal reimbursement for screening costs because the cap on reimbursable screening locations is raised from 8 to 14, enabling more airports to access funding.
Airports, passengers, and screening personnel will have continued federal support through FY2031 because reimbursement for screening locations is extended, helping maintain screening availability and related jobs over the next several years.
The FAA will have more flexibility to maintain or resume screening services at additional sites, improving continuity of air travel operations and reducing disruption risks at affected airports.
Federal taxpayers will likely fund higher spending because extending and expanding the reimbursement program through FY2031 increases federal outlays to cover more screening sites.
Some local airport operators and communities will remain excluded because the program cap, though raised to 14, is still limited, creating unequal access to reimbursable screening and possible competition among airports.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Extends reimbursable airport screening authority to FY2031 and raises the cap on reimbursable screening locations from 8 to 14.
Extends and expands a federal reimbursable airport screening program by lengthening its statutory life and allowing more participating locations. The bill changes the program expiration from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2031 and raises the cap on reimbursable screening locations from eight to 14.
Official title: To authorize an extension and expansion of the reimbursable screening services program of the Transportation Security Administration, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 23, 2026 by Andrew R. Garbarino · Last progress July 14, 2026