LaLota and Ruppersberger Introduce Bill to Improve TSA Technology Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, May 2nd, 2023 Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01) and Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) introduced the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund Act. This bipartisan bill would establish an Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund investments in aviation security checkpoint technology.

“Improving safety measures to protect American families while they travel is a no-brainer. The Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund Act will protect passengers and strengthen security measures to prevent potential threats,” said LaLota. “I was proud to introduce this bill to keep Americans safe and will work to see it reach the President’s desk.”

“Our Transportation Security Administration already screens more than 2 million people per day at airports around the country,” said Ruppersberger. “More passengers mean more threats. This bill will shorten wait times for passengers and, more importantly, make them safer by ensuring funds designed for airport security are not diverted for other purposes.”

To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

Background:

The bipartisan Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund Act would establish a new specific fund derived from the Passenger Security Fee (PSF), also known as the September 11th Security Fee, which airlines already collect when customers buy an airline ticket originating in the United States.

Currently, PSFs – which last year totaled nearly $3.8 billion – are deposited into the Aviation Security Capital Fund, which was historically used to offset security expenses but more recently has been used to fund unrelated government expenses. In 2022 alone, the PSF had raised $3,786,997,000. This legislation would ensure that the second $250 million raised from the PSF go towards the newly established Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (ASCT) to be used specifically for modernizing and maintaining checkpoint security technology. The bill would not raise any fees or taxes. 

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