Washington (July 11, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), today announced the reintroduction the Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration (FASTER) Act to bolster funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its workforce, ensuring that the agency has the necessary funds and resources to secure America’s air travelers and pay its dedicated Transportation Security Officers (TSO). 

In 2013, Congress began diverting one-third of the revenue collected from an airline passenger security fee – known as the September 11 Security Fee, as it was established after September 11 – to pay for unrelated government spending. Each year, roughly $1.6 billion is diverted from TSA’s core safety functions. More than $6 billion in total will be diverted by FY 2027 unless current law is changed. The FASTER Act would eliminate this diversion, ensure that passenger security fees go solely towards aviation security, and prevent Congress from raiding the funds in the future. The legislation would also give TSA access to September 11 Security Fee revenue during a lapse in appropriations, giving TSA much-needed flexibility to pay TSOs in the event of a future shutdown.

"Aviation security is national security,” said Senator Markey. “Americans will not soon forget what 9/11 made crystal clear: the TSA needs ample resources to protect our loved ones in the skies and beyond. My legislation ensures funds from the September 11 Security Fee are used as intended and will put aviation security at the front of the line when it comes to funding.” 

“A strong TSA is absolutely vital to aviation safety, especially as we enter the height of summer travel. Resources are indispensable to protecting the traveling public, and the FASTER Act will provide critical funding. Promoting secure skies—with FASTER Act funds—is an economic driver, both locally and nationwide,” said Senator Blumenthal.

The FASTER Act is endorsed by American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO Council 100, the Air Line Pilots Association, Airports Council International-North America, American Association of Airport Executives, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, U.S. Travel, and the Global Business Travel Association.

Senator Markey has led several pieces of legislation with Senator Blumenthal to protect aviation consumers, including their comprehensive Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act and the Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act, which significantly expand consumer protection laws for passengers. 

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