Homeland Republicans Introduce SAFEGUARDS Act to End Diversion of 9/11 Security Fee, Push for TSA Modernization

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- 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. This bipartisan bill would mandate that revenue collected through the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 9/11 Passenger Security Fee (PSF) be dedicated towards bolstering aviation and airport security.

Since 2014, a significant portion of the PSF revenue, which is currently $5.60 for a one-way plane ticket, has been diverted to the Treasury for deficit reduction. This has amounted to roughly $15 billion in total PSF revenue being diverted over the past decade, instead of being used to boost investment in passenger security efforts.

Upon introduction, the bill is cosponsored by Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY), Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS), Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO).

Similar legislation was introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and marked up in the Senate Commerce Committee.

"As we prepare to host millions of visitors for major international events and continue facing evolving threats to our homeland, we must ensure TSA has the resources necessary to secure our airports with modern screening technology and upgrades that keep passengers safe. The SAFEGUARDS Act ensures that the resources are available to do just that," said Subcommittee Chairman Strong.

"The SAFEGUARDS Act is a necessary piece of legislation to provide increased funding that we rely on to keep our skies and cities safe. As the existing screening technology in our airports falls behind modern standards and best practices, we are going to start to see real strain on systems that are essential to passenger and crew safety. This legislation guarantees that the TSA has the resources it needs to protect travelers and keep our airports running smoothly," saidRep. Kennedy.

"As America prepares to welcome millions of international visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America 250 celebrations, and the 2028 Olympics, we must modernize our transportation system to meet the security challenges of today. For the last decade, the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee has generated over $40 billion in revenue, but billions of dollars have been diverted to unrelated purposes instead of being used to fund the cutting-edge screening technology that is essential to provide safety and security to the traveling public. As we approach the 25^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, travelers should be able to trust that when they pay this fee, their hard-earned money will be used to ensure an attack like that never happens again. I am proud to join Representatives Strong, Kennedy, and other Committee members on this bipartisan legislation and look forward to continuing efforts to modernize America's transportation security infrastructure and enhance TSA's ability to prepare for and respond to an ever-evolving threat landscape," said Chairman Garbarino.

"The men and women of the TSA work every day to protect millions of travelers, and they deserve the resources necessary to protect the flying public. I am proud to co-sponsor the SAFEGUARDS Act, which stops TSA security fees from being used for other purposes and makes sure that money goes back into improving aviation security. This practical change will help fund important upgrades in screening, technology, and other key efforts to better protect our country. I will keep working to support our national security and keep travelers safe," said Subcommittee Chairman Guest.

"When passengers board a flight, they count on effective, modern, and efficient security systems. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it's essential that our nation remains vigilant and continues to protect air travelers. The SAFEGUARDS Act will help to protect American aviation - ending the diversion of security funding and providing the screening resources that the American people deserve," said Rep. Mackenzie.

"As air travel continues to grow, so do demands on America's aviation security systems. For years, funding meant for security has been redirected elsewhere, restricting airports big and small, from Denver to mountain towns, with outdated screening and surveillance equipment. I am proud to co-sponsor the SAFEGUARDS Act to restore safety for airline and airport employees and improve travelers' experiences nationwide. By investing in modern screening technology, we will reduce delays and strengthen our ability to detect evolving threats," said Rep. Evans.

Support for the SAFEGUARDS Act includes the U.S. Travel Association, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, the American Association of Airport Executives, and more. See their statements of support below.

"Despite travelers paying the 9/11 Security Fee on every U.S. flight to improve aviation security, that funding continues to be diverted to pay for unrelated government spending - resulting in a tax on American travelers that has severely delayed critical security modernization. The SAFEGUARDS Act ensures more funding is rightfully invested in game-changing screening technology to enhance security, increase efficiency, and improve the travel experience at airports across the country. Without action, travelers won't be able to carry larger liquids through TSA checkpoints for another 20 years. U.S. Travel strongly supports the bill to modernize aviation security and finally give Americans the travel system they deserve," said Erik Hansen, Senior Vice President, Head of Government Relations, U.S. Travel Association.

"American Airlines strongly supports the SAFEGUARDS Act that finally ends the diversion of the 9/11 Security Fee paid by passengers and ensures those funds are dedicated to aviation security. We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Representative Strong, Representative Kennedy, and Chairman Garbarino as their efforts will help strengthen checkpoint technology, improve efficiency, and enhance the safety of the traveling public. American Airlines urges the House to pass the SAFEGUARDS Act," said American Airlines.

"The SAFEGUARDS Act ensures that all the funds raised from the passenger-paid 9/11 Passenger Security Fee are fully used by the TSA to ensure airports nationwide are equipped with the most advanced passenger and baggage screening technology to guarantee the flying public remains secure. Southwest strongly supports directing the revenue generated by the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee to invest in technologies that strengthen airport security across the country," said David Hunt, Vice President for Safety and Security, Southwest Airlines.

"AAAE thanks Representative Strong, Chairman Garbarino, and other House leaders for working to ensure that security fees paid by air travelers are used as intended to make the aviation system safer and more secure. By investing in better technology, the SAFEGUARDS Act will help improve security, efficiency, and reliability for passengers at airports across the country. We urge its swift passage," said Todd Hauptli, President and CEO, American Association of Airport Executives.

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 TSA Administrator. Since February, more than 1,000 Transportation Security Officers have left the agency.

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 Chairman Guest 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."

In 2025, the Committee established the "Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States," a panel Subcommittee Chairman Strong serves on, to maintain oversight of security preparations for a slate of large-scale domestic and international events hosted by the United States. 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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