H.R. 8897 – Improving Travel for American Families Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 10, 2026 at 10:21 AM UTC

The Improving Travel for American Families Act lets the TSA create a two‑year pilot program at certain airports to make security screening faster for adults traveling with children 12 and under. It requires that all participants still meet existing security vetting and that only passengers with a PreCheck‑eligible boarding pass use expedited lanes. The bill directs the TSA to choose busy family‑travel airports, report on the program to Congress, and ensure security standards are maintained.

Key Provisions

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may start a pilot program at selected airports to speed up security screening for adults traveling with children 12 years old or younger, as long as security is not compromised.
Passengers in the program must still be screened according to their Secure Flight vetting status, and only those with a boarding pass showing TSA PreCheck or other expedited eligibility can use those lanes.
Airport officials can open, close, or re‑allocate checkpoint lanes to keep security effective and efficient based on passenger volume.
The TSA will prioritize airports with high numbers of families traveling together and sufficient space and staff to handle extra lanes.
Within 270 days of starting the pilot, the TSA must brief the House and Senate Homeland Security committees and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
The pilot program will run for two years before it expires.

Legislative Activity

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16 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 14, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 19, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

May 19, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee

May 20, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee

June 24, 2026

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Homeland Security Committee

June 24, 2026

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.

Homeland Security Committee

June 24, 2026

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-735.

Homeland Security Committee

July 9, 2026

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639.

July 9, 2026

HouseFloor

Mr. Garbarino moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

July 13, 2026 • 4:39 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4395-4396)

July 13, 2026 • 4:39 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8897.

July 13, 2026 • 4:39 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 13, 2026 • 4:45 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4403-4404)

July 13, 2026 • 6:56 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 12 (Roll no. 235). (text: CR H4395-4396)

View vote Passed

July 13, 2026 • 7:03 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 12 (Roll no. 235). (text: CR H4395-4396)

View vote Passed

July 13, 2026 • 7:03 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 13, 2026 • 7:03 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 14, 2026

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

July 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

398 - 12

Floor Debate

5 members

What members said about H.R. 8897 on the floor

3 Republicans2 Democrats

Rep. Ryan MackenzieR-PA-7 · Jul 13, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, which I am leading alongside my colleague, Representative Foushee. Americans everywhere understand that…

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, which I am leading alongside my colleague, Representative Foushee.

Americans everywhere understand that there are better, easier, and more efficient ways to manage safety screenings at our airports. That was made clear when this legislation was reported unanimously by the Committee on Homeland Security by a vote of 30-0.

We are bringing both sides together to give families the more convenient air travel experience that they deserve. As the father of two young children, I know firsthand that family travel can be challenging.

Parents often have to navigate crowded airports while juggling strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and more, all while taking their families through the large crowds and navigating long lines.

Every parent is aware that the most stressful part of this process can be the TSA screening point. Families with an array of bags and bulky items pack into the same lanes as business travelers with a small carry-on. The resulting problems can create stress for parents and frustration for everyone else.

That is why H.R. 8897 allows the TSA to establish a pilot program that builds on its existing Families on the Fly initiative, which identifies ways to make the security screening process easier for adults traveling with children 12 years of age and under.

Through this initiative, the TSA is establishing dedicated lines reserved for families, giving them more space, time, and flexibility at security checkpoints.

Because of this program, parents are able to move through screening more smoothly, children have a less stressful experience, and security lines operate more efficiently for everyone in the airport.

Importantly, this legislation does not change TSA's screening requirements or security standards. It simply allows the agency to test practical, family friendly improvements while maintaining the same level of security that travelers expect.

This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our Nation's airports.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Foushee for her partnership in this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 8897.

Rep. Andrew R. GarbarinoR-NY-2 · Jul 13, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8897) to improve travel for American families, and for other purposes, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all…

Rep. James R. WalkinshawD-VA-11 · Jul 13, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act. Every day, thousands of families across our Nation…

Rep. Danny K. DavisD-IL-7 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on July 13, 2026. Had I been present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted: Aye on Roll Call No. 234, H.R. 3106, and Aye on Roll Call No. 235, H.R. 8897.

Rep. Sam GravesR-MO-6 · Jul 13, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 234 and YEA on Roll Call No. 235.

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued July 14, 2026

IIB

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8897

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 14, 2026

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

AN ACT

To improve travel for American families, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Travel for American Families Act.

2.

Improving travel for American families pilot program

(a)

In general

The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (in this section referred to as the Administrator), may establish a pilot program at airports to expedite access to security screening for adult passengers and accompanying child passengers twelve years of age and under to support and facilitate the ease of travel for such passengers and such child passengers. The Administrator may carry out this subsection only such access does not compromise security protocols.

(b)

Security requirements

If the Administrator establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry out the following:

(1)

Ensure each passenger described in such subsection is screened in accordance with the vetting status of such passenger under the Secure Flight program of the Transportation Security Administration, in accordance with paragraph (2) of section 44903(j) of title 49, United States Code.

(2)

Prevent individuals carrying out screening functions under section 44901 of such title from allowing any passenger into a TSA PreCheck or other expedited security screening lane unless such passenger has received a boarding pass indicating eligibility for TSA PreCheck or such other expedited security screening.

(3)

Permit local Administration management to open or close checkpoint lanes and reallocate available resources as needed to maximize security effectiveness and efficiency based on passenger volume.

(c)

Selection of airports

If the Administrator establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), in selecting airports for such pilot program, the Administrator shall—

(1)

give priority to an airport the Administrator determines to have a high volume of passengers traveling with accompanying child passengers;

(2)

consider airports with adequate space to accommodate additional or larger security screening lanes and sufficient personnel to aid passengers and accompanying child passengers twelve years of age and under while maintaining adequate staffing of other security screening lanes; and

(3)

use any other consideration the Administrator determines necessary.

(d)

Briefing

If the Administrator establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), not later than 270 days after such establishment, the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on such pilot program.

(e)

Sunset

If the Administrator establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry out such pilot program for a period of two years.

Passed the House of Representatives July 13, 2026.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.