Congress moves to unlock port jobs for people with criminal records
H.R. 5109 — To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes. · Filed by Troy Carter (D-LA) · 7 cosponsors · Introduced Sep 3, 2025 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people access the TWIC card program—a security credential needed for many maritime and port jobs. It directs TSA to create procedures allowing people still in prison to begin applications before release and to improve the appeal/waiver process for those with criminal records, with the goal of enabling faster employment after release.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is procedural reform within an existing federal credential program, aimed at reducing barriers to employment for people with criminal records. It is fundamentally a reentry and workforce-access measure, not a security deregulation.
What the text implies
- Allowing pre-application from prison may create administrative burden on TSA and correctional facilities, requiring coordination between agencies not currently structured for it.
- The bill does not mandate funding for implementation, leaving resource allocation to TSA discretion; guidelines alone may have limited practical effect without staffing or budget increases.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill removes barriers to employment for a vulnerable population (returning citizens) without weakening security standards—it works within existing TSA authority to issue waivers for certain felony convictions. Faster access to legitimate work reduces recidivism risk and expands economic opportunity for people with criminal records, while maintaining national security vetting.