Improving Travel for American Families Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8897

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-09: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T19:26:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Improving Travel for American Families Act (H.R. 8897)

Purpose

This legislation aims to ease travel for American families by creating a temporary pilot program that expedites TSA security screening for adult passengers traveling with children age 12 and under, while ensuring security standards remain intact.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the TSA Administrator to establish a pilot program at selected airports for faster screening access for qualifying families.
• Requires screening to follow existing Secure Flight vetting rules and prohibits entry into expedited lanes (such as TSA PreCheck) without proper boarding pass eligibility.
• Allows local TSA managers to adjust checkpoint lanes and staffing based on passenger volume.
• Directs the Administrator to prioritize airports with high volumes of families traveling with children and those with sufficient space and staff.
• Mandates a congressional briefing within 270 days of program launch.
• Limits the pilot to a two-year period.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill introduces a new, time-limited pilot program under TSA authority but does not amend or repeal any existing statutes. It builds on current screening procedures outlined in Title 49 of the U.S. Code without altering core security requirements.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Increases administrative flexibility for TSA at participating airports, potentially requiring additional resources for lane management and staffing.
• Citizens: May reduce wait times for families with young children at selected airports.
• International relations: No direct effects identified.

Main Stakeholders

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its airport operations.
• Airports selected for the pilot.
• Passengers traveling with children age 12 and under.
• Congressional committees overseeing homeland security.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The measure raises no apparent constitutional concerns, as it operates within existing TSA statutory authority. It contains no provisions affecting rights, international agreements, or major policy shifts beyond a short-term administrative test.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-09: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639.
• 2026-07-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-735.
• 2026-07-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-735.
• 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
• 2026-06-24: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-06-24: Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged
• 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
• 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
• 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Improving Travel for American Families Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (3 pages)
• Improving Travel for American Families Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (6 pages)