H.R. 1893 – Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC

The Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021 directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create a comprehensive plan for handling communicable disease outbreaks. It requires the TSA to survey its screening workforce about the COVID‑19 response and report the findings to congressional committees. The law also sets timelines for developing, sharing, and regularly updating the preparedness plan, and mandates an independent review of the plan’s effectiveness.

Key Provisions

Within one year, the TSA Administrator must conduct a workforce survey on the agency’s COVID‑19 response and submit a summary report to the House Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Within two years, the TSA must develop a Transportation Security Preparedness Plan that coordinates with federal, international, and private partners, outlines safety measures for employees and travelers, and includes criteria for adjusting security operations during an outbreak.
The plan must incorporate survey results, other relevant reports, and lessons learned, and must address communication, vaccine access, illness tracking, and contingency operations.
The completed plan must be disseminated to identified partners and congressional committees, and reviewed and updated every two years.
The Comptroller General must submit a report within one year after the plan’s dissemination assessing its alignment with federal outbreak strategies and TSA’s readiness to implement it.

Legislative Activity

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15 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

July 21, 2021

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 12, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

March 12, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee

March 13, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged.

Homeland Security Committee

March 18, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Homeland Security Committee

March 18, 2021

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported.

Homeland Security Committee

March 18, 2021

HouseCommittee

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 117-25.

Homeland Security Committee

April 30, 2021

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 12.

April 30, 2021

HouseFloor

Ms. Barragan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

July 20, 2021 • 12:26 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3683-3684; text: CR H3683)

July 20, 2021 • 12:26 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1893.

July 20, 2021 • 12:26 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

July 20, 2021 • 12:31 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 535, proceedings on H.R. 1893 are considered vacated.

July 20, 2021 • 4:44 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 7 of H. Res. 535, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 678; H.R. 1036; H.R. 1079, as amended; H.R. 1158; H.R. 1250; H.R. 1754; H.R. 1833, as amended; H.R. 1850; H.R. 1871; H.R. 1877, as amended; H.R. 1893; H.R. 1895; H.R. 2118; H.R. 2795, as amended; H.R. 2928; H.R. 2980, as amended; H.R. 3003; H.R. 3138, as amended; H.R. 3223; H.R. 3263; and H.R. 3264; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 277; and H. Res. 294.(consideration: CR H3715-3730; text: CR H3719-3720)

July 20, 2021 • 4:44 PM

HouseFloor

Pursuant to section 7 of H. Res. 535, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 678; H.R. 1036; H.R. 1079, as amended; H.R. 1158; H.R. 1250; H.R. 1754; H.R. 1833, as amended; H.R. 1850; H.R. 1871; H.R. 1877, as amended; H.R. 1893; H.R. 1895; H.R. 2118; H.R. 2795, as amended; H.R. 2928; H.R. 2980, as amended; H.R. 3003; H.R. 3138, as amended; H.R. 3223; H.R. 3263; and H.R. 3264; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 277; and H. Res. 294. (consideration: CR H3715-3730; text: CR H3719-3720)

July 20, 2021 • 4:44 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

July 21, 2021

Floor Debate

7 members

What members said about H.R. 1893 on the floor

+2

5 Republicans2 Democrats

Rep. Nanette Diaz BarragánD-CA-44 · Jul 20, 2021

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1893) to direct the Transportation Security Administration to develop a transportation security preparedness plan in the event of a…

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1893) to direct the Transportation Security Administration to develop a transportation security preparedness plan in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to

revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1893, the Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 8,200 TSA employees have contracted coronavirus. Tragically, 17 hardworking frontline workers have lost their lives.

While TSA has taken steps to shield its workers and adjust security operations during the pandemic, its COVID-19 response was ranked low in employee surveys. More must be done to make sure TSA is adequately prepared for future disease outbreaks.

H.R. 1893 directs TSA to apply the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to protect its workforce and the traveling public during future disease outbreaks.

To do so, TSA is required to survey its workforce in more detail regarding pandemic response to ascertain areas for improvement that can be integrated into a transportation security preparedness plan for future pandemics. Specifically, the survey will examine TSA's efforts to communicate clearly with its workforce, protect employees with personal protective equipment, adjust workplace policies, engage in contact tracing, and facilitate COVID-19 vaccinations for workers.

TSA is then directed to integrate the information it collects into a transportation security preparedness plan that sets forth how TSA will respond to future pandemics, including how it will protect its workforce, communicate and collaborate with public and private entities, and adjust checkpoint operations to maintain security without compromising health and safety.

TSA is also required to assess what barriers remain to its ability to respond to the next disease outbreak.

H.R. 1893 will ensure that TSA will be able to respond quickly and effectively to prevent the next disease outbreak.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, as the American people return to air travel in greater numbers, it is essential that TSA plan for the future and use the lessons we have learned during COVID-19 to ensure that TSA responds more quickly and effectively to the next major public health crisis.

H.R. 1893 will allow TSA to reflect on the successes and the missteps of the past year and a half and create a concrete plan of action to protect workers and passengers.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1893, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. John KatkoR-NY-24 · Jul 20, 2021

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1893, the Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021. Our dedicated TSA workforce is…

Rep. Rick W. AllenR-GA-12 · Jul 20, 2021

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 212. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Aderholt (Moolenaar) Buchanan (LaHood) DeSaulnier…

Rep. Steny H. HoyerD-MD-5 · Jul 20, 2021

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 7 of House Resolution 535, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 678; H.R. 1036; H.R. 1079; H.R. 1158; H.R. 1250; H.R. 1754; H.R. 1833; H.R. 1850;

Rep. Pete StauberR-MN-8 · Jul 20, 2021

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 212.

Show 2 more

Rep. Barry MooreR-AL-2 · Jul 20, 2021

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr.R-MT · Jul 20, 2021

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued July 21, 2021

IIB

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1893

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 21, 2021

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

AN ACT

To direct the Transportation Security Administration to develop a transportation security preparedness plan in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021.

2.

Survey of the Transportation Security Administration workforce regarding COVID–19 response

(a)

Survey

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (referred to in this section as the Administrator), in consultation with the labor organization certified as the exclusive representative of full- and part-time non-supervisory Administration personnel carrying out screening functions under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, shall conduct a survey of the Transportation Security Administration (referred to in this section as the Administration) workforce regarding the Administration’s response to the COVID–19 pandemic. Such survey shall be conducted in a manner that allows for the greatest practicable level of workforce participation.

(b)

Contents

In conducting the survey required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall solicit feedback on the following:

(1)

The Administration’s communication and collaboration with the Administration’s workforce regarding the Administration’s response to the COVID–19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate and monitor transmission of COVID–19 among its workforce, including through—

(A)

providing employees with personal protective equipment and mandating its use;

(B)

modifying screening procedures and Administration operations to reduce transmission among officers and passengers and ensuring compliance with such changes;

(C)

adjusting policies regarding scheduling, leave, and telework;

(D)

outreach as a part of contact tracing when an employee has tested positive for COVID–19; and

(E)

encouraging COVID–19 vaccinations and efforts to assist employees that seek to be vaccinated such as communicating the availability of duty time for travel to vaccination sites and recovery from vaccine side effects.

(2)

Any other topic determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(c)

Report

Not later than 30 days after completing the survey required under subsection (a), the Administration shall provide a report summarizing the results of the survey to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

3.

Transportation security preparedness plan

(a)

Plan required

Section 114 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(x)

Transportation Security Preparedness Plan

(1)

In general

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Homeland Security and in consultation with the partners identified under paragraphs (3)(A)(i) through (3)(A)(iv), shall develop a transportation security preparedness plan to address the event of a communicable disease outbreak. The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall ensure such plan aligns with relevant Federal plans and strategies for communicable disease outbreaks.

(2)

Considerations

In developing the plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall consider each of the following:

(A)

The findings of the survey required under section 2 of the Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021.

(B)

All relevant reports and recommendations regarding the Administration’s response to the COVID–19 pandemic, including any reports and recommendations issued by the Comptroller General and the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.

(C)

Lessons learned from Federal interagency efforts during the COVID–19 pandemic.

(3)

Contents of plan

The plan developed under paragraph (1) shall include each of the following:

(A)

Plans for communicating and collaborating in the event of a communicable disease outbreak with the following partners:

(i)

Appropriate Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, and appropriate interagency task forces.

(ii)

The workforce of the Administration, including through the labor organization certified as the exclusive representative of full- and part-time non-supervisory Administration personnel carrying out screening functions under section 44901 of this title.

(iii)

International partners, including the International Civil Aviation Organization and foreign governments, airports, and air carriers.

(iv)

Public and private stakeholders, as such term is defined under subsection (t)(1)(C).

(v)

The traveling public.

(B)

Plans for protecting the safety of the Transportation Security Administration workforce, including—

(i)

reducing the risk of communicable disease transmission at screening checkpoints and within the Administration’s workforce related to the Administration’s transportation security operations and mission;

(ii)

ensuring the safety and hygiene of screening checkpoints and other workstations;

(iii)

supporting equitable and appropriate access to relevant vaccines, prescriptions, and other medical care; and

(iv)

tracking rates of employee illness, recovery, and death.

(C)

Criteria for determining the conditions that may warrant the integration of additional actions in the aviation screening system in response to the communicable disease outbreak and a range of potential roles and responsibilities that align with such conditions.

(D)

Contingency plans for temporarily adjusting checkpoint operations to provide for passenger and employee safety while maintaining security during the communicable disease outbreak.

(E)

Provisions setting forth criteria for establishing an interagency task force or other standing engagement platform with other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Transportation, to address such communicable disease outbreak.

(F)

A description of scenarios in which the Administrator should consider exercising authorities provided under subsection (g) and for what purposes.

(G)

Considerations for assessing the appropriateness of issuing security directives and emergency amendments to regulated parties in various modes of transportation, including surface transportation, and plans for ensuring compliance with such measures.

(H)

A description of any potential obstacles, including funding constraints and limitations to authorities, that could restrict the ability of the Administration to respond appropriately to a communicable disease outbreak.

(4)

Dissemination

Upon development of the plan required under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall disseminate the plan to the partners identified under paragraph (3)(A) and to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(5)

Review of plan

Not later than two years after the date on which the plan is disseminated under paragraph (4), and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator and in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, shall review the plan and, after consultation with the partners identified under paragraphs (3)(A)(i) through (3)(A)(iv), update the plan as appropriate.

.

(b)

Comptroller General report

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the transportation security preparedness plan required under subsection (x) of section 114 of title 49, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is disseminated under paragraph (4) of such subsection (x), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the results of a study assessing the transportation security preparedness plan, including an analysis of—

(1)

whether such plan aligns with relevant Federal plans and strategies for communicable disease outbreaks; and

(2)

the extent to which the Transportation Security Administration is prepared to implement the plan.

Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 2021.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk