Keep Air Travel Safe Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5732

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:07:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Keep Air Travel Safe Act" (H.R. 5732) aims to ensure uninterrupted funding and operations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during a temporary lapse in federal government appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. It uses specific unobligated (unspent) funds to maintain TSA activities, prioritizing air travel security.

Key Provisions

• Continuation of Operations: During any funding lapse, the TSA Administrator must continue all programs, projects, and activities (including direct loans and loan guarantees) at the same level as the previous fiscal year, using unobligated balances from section 90003 of Public Law 119-21 (the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act").
• Funding Rate: Operations are funded at a rate no higher than the previous fiscal year's appropriation level, or the level from a continuing resolution if no full appropriation was passed.
• Duration: Funding is available from the start of the lapse until the earlier of:
• Enactment of a new full-year appropriation or continuing resolution; or
• 180 days after the lapse begins.
• Conditions: All funding follows the same terms, conditions, and legal requirements as in the previous fiscal year.
• Extension Across Fiscal Years: If the lapse extends to the end of a fiscal year, funding continues into the next fiscal year under these rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a targeted funding mechanism specifically for TSA, allowing it to draw from pre-existing unobligated balances during shutdowns. Under current law, essential services like TSA airport screenings often continue via limited "shutdown authority" (temporary borrowing from other funds), but this formalizes and extends reliable funding for up to 180 days, reducing reliance on ad-hoc measures. It does not alter broader shutdown rules for other agencies.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The TSA (part of the Department of Homeland Security) gains funding stability, minimizing operational disruptions and staff furloughs during shutdowns.
• Citizens: Air travelers benefit from consistent security screening and airport operations, avoiding delays or cancellations that could affect daily commutes, business, and leisure travel.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though reliable U.S. air security could indirectly support smoother international aviation and tourism.
• Broader Economy: Prevents potential ripple effects on the aviation industry, such as flight disruptions, which could cost billions in lost productivity.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• TSA Employees and Leadership: Ensured pay and operational continuity.
• Air Travelers and Passengers: Protected from shutdown-related security lapses.
• Aviation Industry (Airlines, Airports): Reduced risk of operational halts affecting schedules and revenue.
• Congress and Federal Budget Process: Influences shutdown negotiations by isolating TSA funding from broader disputes.
• Taxpayers: Uses existing unspent funds, avoiding new appropriations during lapses.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces congressional authority over appropriations (per Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits spending without appropriation), while providing a statutory workaround for essential services without violating anti-deficiency laws (which bar spending unappropriated funds).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse, potentially setting a precedent for earmarking funds for critical agencies during fiscal impasses.
• Political: Could mitigate the leverage of shutdowns in budget battles by protecting a high-visibility service like air security, but may encourage similar carve-outs for other essential functions, complicating future negotiations. No overt partisan elements in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Cosponsors (34)

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Keep Air Travel Safe Act — issued 2025-10-10 — PDF (4 pages)