HR 9391 Extends and Expands TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program through FY2031
Data as of August 28, 2026 · Refresh this data →
Sponsored by Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2] · 1 cosponsor
Plain-English Summary
Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 This bill extends the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Reimbursable Screening Services Program through FY2031. The bill also allows TSA to expand the pilot program to up to 14 locations, from the current limit of not more than 8 locations. The Reimbursable Screening Services Program is a pilot program that allows TSA to be reimbursed for establishing and providing screening services outside an airport terminal’s existing primary screening area for passengers.
Current Status
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What Problem This Addresses
The current TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program is authorized only for a limited number of sites and faces an imminent expiration date. As written, the program can operate at no more than eight locations, restricting TSA’s ability to provide auxiliary screening outside primary terminal areas. Airports that lack sufficient space for traditional screening checkpoints must rely on ad‑hoc arrangements that are not reimbursed. By extending the program through FY2031, the bill seeks to maintain a funding stream for those supplemental services. The expansion to up to fourteen locations aims to close gaps in security coverage at additional airports that have requested the pilot’s benefits.
Outlook
The bill moved quickly through the House, passing by voice vote under suspension of the rules on July 13, which indicates strong procedural support among House members. Its referral to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 14 places it at an early stage in the Senate, where many similar transportation measures stall without committee markup. With only one cosponsor and no publicly recorded bipartisan backing, the likelihood of rapid Senate approval appears limited. If Senate leadership prioritizes the program, the bill could receive a hearing and be reported out; absent that, it may remain inactive for the remainder of the 119th Congress.
Arguments From Supporters
Proponents argue that extending the program prevents a funding gap that would force airports to absorb unreimbursed screening costs. The authorized expansion to fourteen sites would allow TSA to address security shortfalls at airports currently excluded from the pilot. By formalizing reimbursement, the bill supports a cost‑effective model where the federal government shares expenses with private airport operators. The sponsor has emphasized that the extension aligns with broader transportation security goals without requiring new appropriations.
Arguments From Opponents
The public record does not identify any formal opposition to the measure, and no statements from interest groups or committees have been cited. Potential critics might question the fiscal impact of expanding reimbursements to six additional locations, but such concerns have not been documented in the available actions.
Where Both Sides Agree
Both supporters and likely critics agree that maintaining secure screening capabilities at airports is a national priority. There is consensus that the TSA should have a mechanism to recoup costs when providing screening outside primary terminals.
Core Disagreement
Disagreement centers on the scale of expansion and associated reimbursement costs; supporters view the additional fourteen‑site cap as a necessary security enhancement, while skeptics may view it as an unwarranted increase in federal spending. A secondary debate concerns whether a pilot program should be continued indefinitely versus being sunset after a defined period.
Constitutional Basis Cited
The sponsor did not cite a specific constitutional authority for the bill. Extension of TSA activities typically rests on Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and provide for the national defense, which have been used to justify transportation security legislation. No explicit constitutional challenges have been raised in the record, and the lack of a cited authority does not appear to have generated procedural objections thus far.
Economic Considerations
No official cost estimate accompanies the bill, so any fiscal impact must be inferred. Extending reimbursements through FY2031 will likely increase TSA outlays proportionally to the number of participating airports. Expanding the pilot to fourteen locations could raise total reimbursements by an estimated 75% relative to the current eight‑site ceiling, assuming similar cost structures. However, the program is designed to be cost‑neutral for participating airports, suggesting that the net economic effect may be modest and primarily a shift of expenses from airports to the federal budget.
Sections beyond the plain-English summary are AI-synthesized analysis based on the sourced legislative record from Congress.gov, read, edited where needed, and approved by a human editor before publication. Full methodology: Editorial & Methodology.
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