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H.R. 8049House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026

Sponsored by Ashley HinsonRep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
Introduced March 24, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 13, 2026 at 2:05 AM UTC

The End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026 bars members of Congress from receiving any expedited or preferential security screening at airports. It requires that they be subject to the same TSA passenger and baggage checks as the general public, while still allowing them to join publicly available trusted‑traveler programs. The Transportation Security Administration must adjust its policies and report back to Congress on compliance within 180 days.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits the use of TSA funds to give members of Congress expedited or priority screening at airports.
  • Mandates that members of Congress must undergo the same federal passenger and baggage screening procedures as all other travelers, without exemption based on their official position.
  • Clarifies that members of Congress may still participate in public Trusted Traveler programs (e.g., Global Entry, PreCheck) as long as participation is not due to their congressional role.
  • Requires the TSA Administrator to update policies to enforce the rule and to submit a compliance report to Congress within 180 days of the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee

March 25, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 24, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

March 24, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee

March 25, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 24, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8049

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2026

Mrs. Hinson (for herself and Mrs. Harshbarger) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To prohibit preferential screening for Members of Congress at airports, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026.

2.

Definitions

In this Act—

(1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

(2)

Member of Congress

The term Member of Congress has the meaning given that term in section 13101 of title 5, United States Code.

(3)

Screening location

The term screening location has the meaning given that term in section 1540.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

(4)

Trusted Traveler Program

The term Trusted Traveler Program means any of the following:

(A)

Global Entry.

(B)

The PreCheck Program.

(C)

SENTRI.

(D)

NEXUS.

(E)

Any other United States Government program that issues a unique identifier, such as a known traveler number, that the Transportation Security Administration accepts as validating that the individual holding such identifier is a member of a known low-risk population.

(F)

Any other program implemented by the Transportation Security Administration under section 109(a)(3) of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (49 U.S.C. 114 note; Public Law 107–71).

3.

Requirement for standard security screening

(a)

In general

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Transportation Security Administration shall be used to provide or facilitate the provision of a Member of Congress with expedited or preferential access to or through security screenings required pursuant to section 44901 of title 49, United States Code.

(b)

No expedited access

A Member of Congress shall not—

(1)

be exempt from Federal passenger and baggage screening procedures of the Transportation Security Administration; or

(2)

receive priority or expedited access to a screening location on the basis of the official position of such Member of Congress.

4.

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed—

(1)

to limit the authority of the Transportation Security Administration to implement risk-based security programs available to the general public; or

(2)

to prohibit Members of Congress from participating in a publicly available Trusted Traveler Program, provided such participation is not based on the official positions of such Members of Congress.

5.

Enforcement

(a)

Policy Implementation

The Administrator shall update policies and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance with this Act.

(b)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of, and compliance with, this Act.