The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation introduced by Senator John Cornyn that would require members of Congress to go through the same airport security screening as the general public.
The bill, titled the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act, would prohibit lawmakers from bypassing standard Transportation Security Administration screening procedures and bar the use of federal funds for expedited or preferential access at airport checkpoints.
Cornyn said the measure is aimed at addressing what he described as an unfair privilege afforded to lawmakers.
“Airports around the country allow Members of Congress to bypass the usual TSA security screening process,” Cornyn said on the Senate floor. “In other words, they get to skip the line. This should end.”
The legislation comes amid broader concerns about public trust in government institutions. Cornyn argued that eliminating special treatment for elected officials could help restore confidence in Congress.
“Members of Congress are getting an unfair perk,” he said. “We know trust in Congress is at an all-time low, but today…the Senate has taken an important step towards restoring the trust of the people we represent.”
During his remarks, Cornyn also referenced ongoing tensions in Washington over federal funding, noting the impact on employees at the Department of Homeland Security.
“No less than 120,000 DHS employees have missed paychecks, including TSA agents who have been working around the clock without pay,” he said.
While members of Congress are typically subject to security screening, some airports have allowed alternative procedures or escorted access that can reduce wait times, prompting criticism from transparency advocates.
The bill now heads to the U.S. House, where it must pass before it can be sent to the president’s desk for signature.
If enacted, the measure would standardize security procedures for lawmakers, requiring them to undergo the same screening process as other airline passengers.
