Mohave Today

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Paul Gosar has reintroduced the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at providing expedited security screening to severely injured or disabled veterans. The bill would enroll these veterans in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program, allowing them to have a more efficient and dignified experience when passing through domestic airport security checkpoints.

Disabled veterans often face challenges when traveling through airport security, including long lines and difficulties removing prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids. Congressman Gosar's legislation seeks to address these challenges by offering injured or disabled veterans free enrollment in the PreCheck program, a service already provided to Active Duty, Reservists, and National Guard servicemembers.

In a statement, Congressman Gosar expressed his hope that this bipartisan legislation would eliminate many of the obstacles that disabled veterans face when traveling. He emphasized that no American veteran, especially disabled veterans, should be hassled at airports.

Representative Brian Mast, himself a veteran, shared his support for the bill, stating, "Many men and women return home from war with new physical challenges, and as I've experienced firsthand, our airports are often not well designed to accommodate these changes. This bill will make traveling a little easier for those who've risked life and lost limb for our nation."

The VETS Safe Travel Act has garnered support from various organizations. Chuck Byers, the Legislative Chair of Unified Arizona Veterans, expressed his endorsement, stating that the legislation would provide support for Arizona veterans and other veterans with disability and mobility issues, making travel a better experience for them.

The Wounded Warrior Project also commended the bill, with Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, stating, "If enacted, the VETS Safe Travel Act will provide many severely injured and disabled veterans a more dignified experience when passing through airport security."

Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America, highlighted the difficulties that veterans with catastrophic injuries and illnesses face during air travel. She noted that the VETS Safe Travel Act would greatly improve the airport security screening experience for these veterans and decrease the burden on them, their families, and caregivers.

The VETS Safe Travel Act has garnered support from a number of cosponsors in Congress, including Representatives Mast, Waltz, LaMalfa, Houlahan, Biggs, Moulton, Norman, Brownley, Slotkin, McMorris Rodgers, Kilmer, Van Drew, Mills, Harshbarger, Budzinski, Steel, Mike Thompson, Trent Kelly, Connolly, Stefanik, Gallagher, Lesko, Blunt Rochester, Steube, Crenshaw, Paulina Luna, and Gottheimer.

Several organizations have also expressed their support for the legislation, including Unified Arizona Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, the Honor Flight Network, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Operation Second Chance, Inc, Texas Coalition of Veteran Organizations, and Veterans Airlift Command.

Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs would certify that a veteran is severely injured and therefore eligible to apply for the TSA PreCheck program free of charge. The veteran's application would then be processed by the TSA, granting access to the PreCheck program upon successfully passing the necessary background check and interview process.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, approximately 400,000 veterans would be eligible for this free PreCheck screening program. This legislation aims to make air travel easier and more accessible for veterans with disabilities, ensuring that they can navigate airport security with dignity and ease.

For more information on the VETS Safe Travel Act, the bill text can be found [here](link to the bill text).