MEDIA ADVISORY: Chairman Garbarino Announces Hearing on TSA Modernization Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) announced a full Committee hearing for next Wednesday, May 20, to examine opportunities for reform and key legislative proposals to improve aviation security through modernization of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This hearing will help guide the Committee's legislative efforts to modernize our nation's transportation security infrastructure, ensure TSA can promptly respond to emerging risks such as drones and cyberattacks, and improve the travel experience for the flying public ahead of major upcoming events on U.S. soil. The hearing will also examine the long-term impacts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown on TSA's workforce, operations, and resources.

This week, Members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, led by Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL), introduced the "Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act," or SAFEGUARDS Act. As the Committee's first step in broader TSA modernization efforts, this bipartisan bill would mandate that revenue collected through the TSA 9/11 Passenger Security Fee (PSF) be dedicated towards bolstering aviation and airport security.

"Twenty-five years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our nation's transportation security infrastructure has fallen behind amid an increasingly dynamic threat landscape. Travelers deserve better. As our nation prepares to host millions of visitors for major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250, and the 2028 Olympics, TSA personnel also need the resources, tools, and stability necessary to carry out their missions effectively and to ensure the safety of the traveling public," Chairman Garbarino said. "Modernizing America's transportation security infrastructure requires a strong workforce, the strategic deployment of next-generation technology, and continued collaboration between public and private sector partners. I look forward to hearing from aviation stakeholders on how we can continue to strengthen public-private partnerships and improve TSA's readiness and resilience through enhanced coordination, legislation, and oversight."

DETAILS:

What: A House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled, "TSA Modernization: Industry Perspectives on Key Security and Travel Reforms 25 Years After 9/11."

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET

Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building

WITNESSES:

Christopher T. Sununu
President and CEO, Airlines for America (A4A)

Chris McLaughlin
CEO, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Everett Kelley
National President, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Witness testimony will be added here. The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and will be open to the public and press. Press must be congressionally credentialed and should RSVP in advance.

BACKGROUND:

In March , the Committee held a hearing to examine how repeated shutdowns have impacted the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) core mission, strained its personnel, and undermined emergency preparedness, including testimony from Ha Nguyen McNeill, the Senior Official Performing Duties of the TSA Administrator. Since February, more than 1,000 Transportation Security Officers have left the agency. It takes months to replace these officers since the position requires four to six months of training. In February 2026, TSA leadership testified that TSO separations increased 25% during last year's shutdown compared to the same period in 2024.

In January , the Committee held a hearing to conduct oversight of DHS with testimony from Acting Administrator McNeill and officials from other DHS components. McNeill testified to Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) that TSA is "facing year-over-year volume growth at our checkpoints in infrastructure-constrained environments. The only way that we're going to be able to maintain our security posture, improve our security posture, and deliver an increasingly improved passenger experience is through that combination of our human talent and technology. And that is what we are looking to work with this Congress to do, to ensure that the Passenger Security Fund is used for those purposes." Acting Administrator McNeill also testified to Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime SecurityChairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), stating that at the current pace of funding, TSA's computed tomography technology rollout will likely not be completed until 2042.

In 2025 , the Committee established the "Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States," a bipartisan panel led by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), to maintain oversight of security preparations for a slate of large-scale domestic and international events hosted by the United States. Subcommittee Chairman Strong, the lead sponsor of the SAFEGUARDS Act, also serves on the panel. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held throughout North America in June-July 2026 and will include more than 70 matches played in 11 different cities across the United States. FIFA anticipates that at least five million fans will travel to the United States for the World Cup.

In April 2025 , the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security held a hearing to examine public- and private-sector efforts to secure and improve the U.S. travel system ahead of these events, including testimony from Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Freeman's testimony revealed that the U.S. ranks last among the top travel destinations when it comes to "national planning and leadership," in part due to outdated airport technology and staffing shortages.

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