Senators Introduce Bill to Bolster Aviation Safety and End Fee Diversion

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) have introduced the Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act, a bill aimed at bolstering aviation safety and ending the diversion of funds meant for airport security. The legislation would redirect revenue collected through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee (PSF) towards investing in modern baggage screening systems, checkpoint technology improvements, and other security measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SAFEGUARDS Act would allocate $500 million in PSF revenue annually for checked bag explosive detection systems (EDS) and set aside $250 million annually for checkpoint technology improvements.
  • Since 2014, more than $13 billion of the PSF revenue has been diverted to non-security uses, and this legislation would end that diversion.
  • The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens millions of passengers and their luggage daily at 2,400 security lanes in 420 airports across the United States.
  • Senators Van Hollen, Moran, Boozman, and Bennet argue that investing in modern security equipment will make passenger and baggage screening systems more efficient and reliable.
  • The bill has received support from various organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA), Southwest Airlines, U.S. Travel, and Airlines for America.

Statistics:

  • $13 billion: The amount of 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue diverted to non-security uses since 2014.
  • $500 million: The annual allocation of PSF revenue for checked bag explosive detection systems (EDS) under the SAFEGUARDS Act.
  • $250 million: The annual allocation of PSF revenue for checkpoint technology improvements under the SAFEGUARDS Act.
  • 2,400: The number of security lanes operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at 420 airports across the United States.
  • $19 billion: The total amount of Passenger Security Fee revenue diverted from spending on national security to the US General Treasury.

Sources:

  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), press release, "Van Hollen, Moran, Boozman, Bennet Introduce Bill to Bolster Aviation Safety" (July 23)
  • American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
  • Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA)
  • Southwest Airlines
  • U.S. Travel
  • Airlines for America
  • Travelers United
  • Original text: https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-moran-boozman-bennet-introduce-bill-to-bolster-aviation-safety