Sens. Markey, Blumenthal Reintroduce Legislation to Bolster Funding for TSA and its Workforce

FASTER Act would ensure airline security fees bolster aviation safety

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (September 11, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today reintroduced the Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration (FASTER) Act to bolster funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its workforce, ensuring the agency has the necessary funds and resources to keep America's air travelers safe and pay its dedicated Transportation Security Officers (TSO).

In 2013, Congress began diverting one-third of the revenue collected from an airline passenger security fee-known as the September 11 Security Fee, as it was established after the September 11 terrorist attacks-to pay for unrelated government spending; each year, this diverted funding totals over $1 billion. The FASTER Act would eliminate this diversion, ensure passenger security fees go solely toward aviation security, and prevent Congress from raiding the funds in the future. The legislation would also give TSA access to September 11 Security Fee revenue during a lapse in appropriations, giving TSA much-needed flexibility to pay TSOs in the event of a future shutdown.

"After 9/11, we came together to make aviation security a national security priority," said Senator Markey. "While the Trump administration strangles efforts to keep aviation safe, we must provide TSA with the resources they need to protect Americans from potential harms. Our legislation ensures funds from the September 11 Security Fee are put to use as intended-to keep Americans safe in the skies and beyond."

"Making sure that TSA has the necessary funds and resources to protect air travelers must remain a top priority-especially as the Trump Administration attacks the rights of the hardworking men and women who keep aviation safe every day. With this critical legislation, we ensure that TSA is receiving the funds the agency is rightfully owed to maintain the high safety standards Americans expect and deserve. The tragedies of 9/11 made clear that we must make sound investments in our nation's aviation security, and with the FASTER Act, we promote secure skies for the traveling public," said Senator Blumenthal.

The FASTER Act is endorsed by American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO Council 100, the Air Line Pilots Association, Airports Council International-North America, American Association of Airport Executives, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, U.S. Travel, and the Global Business Travel Association.

Senator Markey and Senator Blumenthal have led several pieces of legislation to protect aviation consumers, including their comprehensive Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act and the Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act, which significantly expand consumer protection laws for passengers.

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