The U.S. Senate has moved to eliminate a long-standing travel perk for members of Congress, unanimously approving a measure that would bar lawmakers from bypassing standard airport security checks.
The proposal, introduced by John Cornyn, seeks to prohibit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from offering expedited screening access to elected officials. If enacted, lawmakers would be required to undergo the same screening process as the general public at airports nationwide.
The move comes as airport security lines grow increasingly congested during the ongoing funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security. The shutdown, now stretching over a month, has significantly disrupted staffing levels at the TSA, with many agents missing work due to unpaid wages.
Airports across the country have reported severe delays, with some of the longest wait times recorded at Houston’s Hobby Airport. Travelers there have faced waits of up to four hours, underscoring the broader impact of reduced staffing and operational strain.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Cornyn sharply criticized Democrats over the impasse, arguing that the shutdown has directly contributed to mounting travel disruptions.
“Staffing constraints have not only led to longer wait times around the country but also significant delays, disruptions and missed flights,” Cornyn said.
He went further, suggesting lawmakers have been insulated from the consequences faced by everyday travelers.
“The only reason I can fathom, other than being completely out of touch, that our Democrat colleagues would do this is not all members of Congress are being forced to experience the same mess of their own making,” Cornyn said.
Highlighting what he described as an unfair advantage, Cornyn added: “As many Americans probably don’t know but most of us in Washington do know, airports around the country allow members of Congress to bypass the usual TSA screening process at airports nationwide. In other words, they get to skip the line. This should end today.”
Under the proposed legislation, the TSA would be barred from using federal funds to support any form of expedited or preferential security screening for lawmakers, effectively ending the practice even after the shutdown concludes.
The measure passed the Senate without objection through unanimous consent, signaling bipartisan willingness to address public frustration over perceived privileges.
However, the bill still faces additional hurdles before becoming law. It must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by Donald Trump.
The broader funding standoff remains unresolved. Democrats have pushed for partial funding measures focused on critical agencies such as TSA, the Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, while excluding immigration enforcement bodies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Republicans have opposed these proposals, insisting on comprehensive funding that includes border security operations.
As negotiations continue, the Senate’s latest move places new attention on government accountability and equal treatment, particularly during a period when millions of travelers are dealing with heightened inconvenience at airport security checkpoints.
