The House of Representatives has approved legislation that would provide members of the Armed Forces an expedited security process at U.S. airport security checkpoints in a move that was applauded by the U.S. Travel Association.
New legislation introduced by Congressman Chip Cravaack, (R-MN) H.R. 1801 amends title 49 of the United States Code and provides expedited security screening services for a member of the Armed Forces. Included are any accompanying family member, when the member of the Armed Forces presents documentation indicating official orders while in uniform through a primary airport.
"Our country trusts the men and women of the Armed Forces with the ultimate responsibility – to protect and defend the United States. Yet when flying for official duties or en route to put their lives on the line for this country, they are met with the same skepticism, scrutiny and inefficiencies that every person receives in our 'one-size-fits-all' aviation security process," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
"We applaud Congressman Cravaack for recognizing the value of risk-based screening and urge the House to pass this common sense legislation," said Dow. "We also applaud the Transportation Security Administration for announcing its pilot program to provide expedited screening for members of the Armed Forces."
The House approved H.R. 1801, Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act, by a bi-partisan vote of 404-0.
H.R. 1801 is seen as part of the broad-based move towards a risk-based, intelligence-driven security screening system from the current one-size-fits-all screening program. Ultimately, this bill will improve the screening process for American passengers by reducing checkpoint wait times.
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