Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, Todd Young, Tammy Duckworth, and Maggie Hassan have expressed approval for the Senate's passage of a bill aimed at providing expedited screening under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program to veterans with service-connected disabilities. This legislation, known as the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, has already passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent and is now awaiting President Biden's signature to become law.

Currently, TSA PreCheck is available at no cost to active duty military personnel, reserves, and National Guard members. The new legislation seeks to extend this benefit to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. These individuals often face challenges when passing through airport security due to prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

Senator Marshall stated: “Ensuring wounded veterans have little difficulty getting through airport security is a simple but impactful way to honor these heroes’ sacrifices for our country. I’m proud we delivered this victory before the end of this Congress.”

Senator Young highlighted the difficulties faced by disabled veterans during airport screenings: “Airports can be a dreaded experience for veterans with service-connected disabilities because of the invasive screenings they may endure at security checkpoints. Once it becomes law, this bill will provide dignified travel to thousands of wounded warriors by ensuring PreCheck benefits are easily available to them.”

Senator Duckworth emphasized the significance of easing travel burdens on disabled veterans: “Millions of Veterans have sacrificed a great deal in service to our nation and returned home with service-connected disabilities—for those of us who rely on prosthetics and wheelchairs for mobility, air travel and passing through airport security can be a challenge,” she said. “I’m proud the Senate passed our bipartisan bill to make TSA PreCheck available at no cost to these Veterans and make flying and passing through airports easier and less intrusive.”

Senator Hassan noted that navigating airport security should not pose an additional challenge for those who have served: “For veterans who have already overcome extraordinary challenges in service to our country, navigating airport security should not be another hurdle,” she remarked. “This bipartisan legislation recognizes the unique challenges that many disabled veterans face and helps to better ensure that their travel experience reflects the dignity of their service.”

The VETS Safe Travel Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs certify eligible veterans. Following certification, TSA would process applications granting access to TSA PreCheck without charge upon successful completion of background checks and interviews. Additionally, TSA recommends that eligible veterans contact TSA Cares 72 hours prior to departure for expedited screening assistance.

The legislation has garnered support from organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Honor Flight Network, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.