On Thursday, the Senate signed off on a measure that would force members of Congress to go through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints like everyone else, cutting off arrangements that let some lawmakers move ahead of the line. The change passed by unanimous consent at a time when security lines at airports around the country have been getting longer.
The chamber approved the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act through unanimous consent, a fast-track procedure used when no senator objects, according to KABB. The measure would bar legislators from using their official status to speed through airport security ahead of the general public.
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn introduced the bill and argued that requiring lawmakers to endure the same lines as everyone else might nudge Congress to finish appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, The National Desk reports. He also criticized members who accept expedited treatment while at the same time declining to pass appropriations for TSA and other DHS functions.
Shutdown Strain on TSA
Airport security has slowed across the country since funding for DHS lapsed, with TSA officers missing paychecks, staff absences rising and some hubs reporting hours-long waits, according to The Independent. Against that backdrop, any special perks for officials at checkpoints have drawn extra scrutiny.
What Happens Next
The Senate-passed measure still has to clear the House and then be presented to the president before it can become law; a bill approved by one chamber generally needs approval from the other and the president's signature, per guidance on how bills become law. See House.gov for the legislative process.
For travelers, the change will not be immediate, since the status quo at checkpoints remains until the House acts and the president signs the bill. Still, the unanimous Senate move has thrown a spotlight on the optics of lawmakers skipping airport lines while officials work to resolve the DHS funding standoff.
