IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT

On 2026-07-13, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT" in the House.

IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [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. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR8897, HR8897