Bill would steer more TSA fee money to airport security upgrades
Officially: SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025
Airline passenger security fee money would be set aside more directly for airport security projects. The bill grows one TSA fund, creates another, and requires enough fee revenue each year to support both.
Where it stands
Sitting in Commerce
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
- Keeps the focus on aviation security. The bill says 9/11 Security Fee money should go only to work like screening and security technology upgrades.
- Pushes to stop using this fee money for other government purposes by 2027. That matches what existing law already calls for.
- Sends more money each year to the Aviation Security Capital Fund. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the amount rises from $250 million to $500 million.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
The debate
What people are saying about this bill
- Keeps passenger fee money tied to the reason people pay it. The 9/11 Security Fee would go to aviation security instead of unrelated government spending.
- Gives TSA and airports steadier money for old equipment that needs to be replaced. That could help security upgrades move faster.
- Sets aside a separate pot of money for checkpoint and exit-lane technology. That could help roll out newer systems that improve screening and handle long lines better.
- Ties up fee money for one use and gives Congress less room to spend that money on other priorities.
- Could push TSA to collect more total fee revenue from passengers if current fee collections are too low to meet the bill's minimum targets.
- Shifts some aviation security spending away from the normal yearly appropriations process. Some critics may want Congress to review these investments year by year instead.
Where this bill is in the process
Legislative timeline
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Senate Committee
Under Senate committee consideration
Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (7/22/2025)
Senate Floor Vote
Voted on by Senate
Passed Senate
Approved by Senate
House Review
Sent to House for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail