Discussion · House of Representatives
Andrew R. Garbarino Republican
“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes sure the security fees that airline passengers pay are actually used for airport security. This money will buy better bomb-detection tools and technology to keep travelers safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act. This legislation establishes a sense of Congress that 9/11 passenger security fee revenue should be put toward TSA security screening purposes following the end of the current fee diversion at the end of fiscal year 2027. Additionally, this bill directs funds collected from this fee to modernize and sustain explosive detection systems and technology at TSA security checkpoints beginning in fiscal year 2028. The SAFEGUARDS Act will strengthen aviation security by ensuring passenger security fee revenue is used for its intended purpose: providing additional resources to protect the traveling public. I thank Representative Strong for his leadership, and I look forward to continuing our engagement on both sides of the aisle and with our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to ensure that this bill improves deployment timelines for critical aviation security technology without any unintended consequences for the TSA workforce or any other TSA operations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act. This legislation establishes a sense of Congress that 9/11 passenger security fee revenue should be put toward TSA security screening purposes following the end of the current fee diversion at the end of fiscal year 2027. Additionally, this bill directs funds collected from this fee to modernize and sustain explosive detection systems and technology at TSA security checkpoints beginning in fiscal year 2028. The SAFEGUARDS Act will strengthen aviation security by ensuring passenger security fee revenue is used for its intended purpose: providing additional resources to protect the traveling public. I thank Representative Strong for his leadership, and I look forward to continuing our engagement on both sides of the aisle and with our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to ensure that this bill improves deployment timelines for critical aviation security technology without any unintended consequences for the TSA workforce or any other TSA operations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.