S4123-119

What This Bill Does

The End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026 requires Members of Congress to use standard TSA passenger and baggage screening unless they qualify through a publicly available Trusted Traveler Program. It defines the TSA Administrator, Members of Congress, screening locations, and Trusted Traveler Programs, then blocks TSA funds from being used to provide Members with expedited or preferential screening because of their official position. TSA must update policies and report to Congress within 180 days on implementation and compliance.

Who Benefits and How

Ordinary air travelers benefit from a clearer equal-treatment rule at TSA checkpoints. TSA checkpoint officers benefit from a straightforward policy that bars position-based exemptions while still allowing normal risk-based programs. Members of Congress can still use Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, SENTRI, NEXUS, known-traveler-number programs, and other generally available TSA risk-based programs if they qualify like other travelers.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Members of Congress lose any expedited or preferential access based solely on official position and must comply with standard passenger and baggage screening unless enrolled in a public Trusted Traveler Program. TSA must update policies, train or instruct screening locations as needed, monitor compliance, and submit an implementation report to Congress within 180 days.

Key Provisions

• Defines Member of Congress, screening location, Trusted Traveler Program, and TSA Administrator.
• Prohibits TSA funds from being used to provide Members of Congress preferential or expedited security screening because of official position.
• Requires Members of Congress to follow standard federal passenger and baggage screening procedures.
• Preserves Members' ability to participate in publicly available Trusted Traveler Programs on the same basis as other travelers.
• Directs TSA to update policies and submit an implementation and compliance report within 180 days.