S. 2378 · In committee · Transportation and Public Works

SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025

What it does

Allocates additional passenger security fee revenue to the TSA for aviation security, including checked baggage explosives detection equipment and checkpoint technology.
Requires the first $500 million collected each fiscal year, up from $250 million, to go to the Aviation Security Capital Fund for in-line baggage screening systems and other airport security improvements.
Directs the next $250 million each fiscal year to a new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund.
Redirects fees that are otherwise deposited in the Treasury general fund and applied to debt reduction.

Official summary

Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2025 or the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 This bill allocates additional funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for aviation security, including checked baggage explosives detection equipment and security checkpoint technology. As background, TSA collects passenger civil aviation security service fees (often referred to as the 9/11 security fee or passenger security fee) on air carrier passengers originating at airports in the United States. In general, these fees are deposited into the Department of the Treasury general fund and applied towards debt reduction. A portion of these fees are allocated to TSA for aviation security. The bill requires that the first $500 million collected in each fiscal year from passenger security fees be deposited into the Aviation Security Capital Fund. This is an increase from the currently required $250 million. This fund provides for the costs associated with acquiring and installing in-line baggage screening systems (i.e., systems that use a conveyor belt infrastructure to automatically screen, sort, and track baggage) to…

Latest action

Apr 14, 2026: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation