Bill > S2378

This bill, known as the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025, aims to improve aviation security funding and technology by establishing two new funds within the Department of Homeland Security. The bill clarifies that the 9/11 Security Fee, paid by airline passengers, should be exclusively used to enhance aviation security, including screening, technology upgrades, and personnel support. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the bill creates an Aviation Security Capital Fund that will receive $500,000,000 annually from the security fees, and an additional Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund that will receive $250,000,000 annually. These funds will provide grants to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for procuring, deploying, and maintaining security checkpoint and exit lane technology. The legislation also includes a provision allowing the TSA to retroactively approve grant funds for projects implemented since January 1, 2023. The bill emphasizes the importance of using security fees for their intended purpose and seeks to end the diversion of these funds to unrelated purposes by 2027, thereby restoring public trust in the aviation security funding mechanism.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2378/all-info