Congress locks airline security fees into TSA, blocks deficit raids
H.R. 7941 — Pay TSA Act of 2026 · Filed by Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY) · 11 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 16, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill creates a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund that collects the $5.60 per-flight passenger security fee (the '9/11 Security Fee') and locks it exclusively for TSA operations—salaries, screening equipment, training, and airport security infrastructure. Currently, Congress can divert these fees to reduce the federal deficit or fund other programs. The bill also ensures TSA can continue operating during government shutdowns by making the fund available without waiting for a new appropriations bill. In short: passenger security fees stay with TSA, not the general Treasury, and TSA keeps running even if Congress fails to pass a budget.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a dedicated revenue trust fund that prevents diversion of passenger security fees and ensures TSA operational continuity. This is straightforward public-safety funding reform, not a tax change, subsidy, or deregulation.
What the text implies
- Removes Congress's ability to use passenger security fees for deficit reduction—a revenue source that has historically been raided for other purposes. This constrains future budget flexibility but protects the dedicated purpose.
- Automatic TSA funding during shutdowns may reduce political leverage in budget negotiations, as TSA operations no longer create immediate pressure to pass appropriations.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
Transportation Security Administration (federal agency); TSA personnel (salary and benefits protection); Airport operators (eligible for security technology grants)