Committee Advances Boozman-Backed Legislation to Strengthen Airport Security

WASHINGTON—
U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) praised passage of the
Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act
by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The legislation, which he introduced alongside Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), would ensure revenue collected through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee (PSF) is reinvested for the purpose of bolstering aviation and airport security. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
“Ensuring our security personnel have the necessary tools and resources required to keep air travelers safe is critical,”
said Boozman
. “I’m pleased our bipartisan bill is now headed to the Senate floor and urge my colleagues to help us make certain that this required fee is used for the original purpose of investing in new technology that supports efficient, safe air travel for all Americans.”
“Today’s committee passage of the SAFEGUARDS Act is a step towards strengthening airport security and better protecting the traveling public,”
said Moran
. “Each time Americans purchase an airline ticket, they pay a mandatory fee that was originally created to support the safety of American air travel. This legislation returns passenger security fees to their original intent of investing in new technology to help bolster the safety and efficiency of U.S. air travel. I look forward to the passage of this important aviation safety legislation by the full Senate.”
Airline passengers pay a fee of $5.60 per one-way ticket intended to fund aviation security, but since 2014, more than $13 billion of the collected fees have been diverted to non-security uses. The bill requires investments of these fees back into airport security for checked bag explosive detection systems (EDS) and checkpoint technology improvements, including at exit lanes.
The
SAFEGUARDS Act
is cosponsored by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), James Risch (R-ID) and Todd Young (R-IN).
For more on the legislation, click
here
.