[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4395-H4396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1640
IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 8897) to improve travel for American families, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8897
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Travel for
American Families Act''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Transportation
Security Administration (in this section referred to as the
``Administrator''), may establish a pilot program at airports
to expedite access to security screening for adult passengers
and accompanying child passengers twelve years of age and
under to support and facilitate the ease of travel for such
passengers and such child passengers. The Administrator may
carry out this subsection only such access does not
compromise security protocols.
(b) Security Requirements.--If the Administrator
establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall carry out the following:
(1) Ensure each passenger described in such subsection is
screened in accordance with the vetting status of such
passenger under the Secure Flight program of the
Transportation Security Administration, in accordance with
paragraph (2) of section 44903(j) of title 49, United States
Code.
(2) Prevent individuals carrying out screening functions
under section 44901 of such title from allowing any passenger
into a TSA PreCheck or other expedited security screening
lane unless such passenger has received a boarding pass
indicating eligibility for TSA PreCheck or such other
expedited security screening.
(3) Permit local Administration management to open or close
checkpoint lanes and
[[Page H4396]]
reallocate available resources as needed to maximize security
effectiveness and efficiency based on passenger volume.
(c) Selection of Airports.--If the Administrator
establishes the pilot program under subsection (a), in
selecting airports for such pilot program, the Administrator
shall--
(1) give priority to an airport the Administrator
determines to have a high volume of passengers traveling with
accompanying child passengers;
(2) consider airports with adequate space to accommodate
additional or larger security screening lanes and sufficient
personnel to aid passengers and accompanying child passengers
twelve years of age and under while maintaining adequate
staffing of other security screening lanes; and
(3) use any other consideration the Administrator
determines necessary.
(d) Briefing.--If the Administrator establishes the pilot
program under subsection (a), not later than 270 days after
such establishment, the Administrator shall provide to the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on such pilot
program.
(e) Sunset.--If the Administrator establishes the pilot
program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry
out such pilot program for a period of two years.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 8897.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for
American Families Act.
This bill allows the TSA Administrator to establish a 2-year pilot
program to expedite access and implement alternative screening lanes
for passengers and accompanying children under the age of 12.
If established, this pilot program would be prioritized at airports
with high volumes of family travelers, as well as at airports that have
the space to accommodate additional screening lanes.
This legislation will help ease the burdens families face when
traveling with young children and improve the overall passenger
experience.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mackenzie for his leadership and
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for
American Families Act.
Every day, thousands of families across our Nation take to the skies,
many of them with small children who are not always the easiest of
travel companions. I can attest to that.
Any parent knows that long lines at checkpoints can make a long day
of travel even worse for a kid.
That is why since last year, the TSA has started pilot programs at
select airports with special lines reserved for families which help
decrease wait times while keeping screening efficient for other
travelers, as well.
H.R. 8897 would codify the ongoing pilot program and ensure
appropriate security protocols are upheld. The bill would help advance
this initiative to help traveling families.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Mackenzie).
Mr. MACKENZIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the
Improving Travel for American Families Act, which I am leading
alongside my colleague, Representative Foushee.
Americans everywhere understand that there are better, easier, and
more efficient ways to manage safety screenings at our airports. That
was made clear when this legislation was reported unanimously by the
Committee on Homeland Security by a vote of 30-0.
We are bringing both sides together to give families the more
convenient air travel experience that they deserve. As the father of
two young children, I know firsthand that family travel can be
challenging.
Parents often have to navigate crowded airports while juggling
strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and more, all while taking their
families through the large crowds and navigating long lines.
Every parent is aware that the most stressful part of this process
can be the TSA screening point. Families with an array of bags and
bulky items pack into the same lanes as business travelers with a small
carry-on. The resulting problems can create stress for parents and
frustration for everyone else.
That is why H.R. 8897 allows the TSA to establish a pilot program
that builds on its existing Families on the Fly initiative, which
identifies ways to make the security screening process easier for
adults traveling with children 12 years of age and under.
Through this initiative, the TSA is establishing dedicated lines
reserved for families, giving them more space, time, and flexibility at
security checkpoints.
Because of this program, parents are able to move through screening
more smoothly, children have a less stressful experience, and security
lines operate more efficiently for everyone in the airport.
Importantly, this legislation does not change TSA's screening
requirements or security standards. It simply allows the agency to test
practical, family friendly improvements while maintaining the same
level of security that travelers expect.
This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help modernize
travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at
our Nation's airports.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Foushee for her partnership
in this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R.
8897.
Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the airport experience is difficult enough for young
families. This bill will help improve that experience while upholding
security standards, and I urge support.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8897, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8897, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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