Mohave Today

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Paul Gosar issued the following statement after introducing H.R. 7365, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide expedited security screening under the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program to severely injured or disabled veterans:

“Traveling through airport security with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids often presents a challenge to disabled veterans, including waiting in long lines and difficulty removing shoes, belts and garments.  

My common-sense legislation will provide injured or disabled veterans an easier and more dignified experience when passing through domestic airport security checkpoints by enrolling them in the expedited PreCheck program free of charge – a service already offered to Active Duty, Reservists and National Guard servicemembers.

It is my hope that this bipartisan legislation can eliminate many of the challenges disabled veterans face when traveling. No American veteran, particularly disabled veterans, should be hassled at our airports,” said Congressman Paul Gosar.

“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,” said Representative Brian Mast.  “This bill will make traveling a little easier for those who’ve risked life and lost limb for our nation.”

Chuck Byers, Legislative Chair, Unified Arizona Veterans added: “Unified Arizona Veterans support and endorse the VETS Safe Travel Act sponsored by Congressman Gosar.  It will provide support for our Arizona veterans and other needed veterans with disability and mobility issues to travel safely and without some of the barriers and hurdles they experience in our airports today and make travel for them a better experience.”

“Wounded Warrior Project believes that if enacted, the VETS Safe Travel Act will provide many severely injured and disabled veterans a more dignified experience when passing through airport security,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Wounded Warrior Project.

“Air travel is already difficult enough for veterans with catastrophic injuries and illnesses. The VETS Safe Travel Act would greatly improve the airport security screening experience and decrease the burden on these veterans, their families, and caregivers,” noted Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Original Cosponsors:  Representatives Waltz, LaMalfa, Houlahan, Biggs, Moulton, Norman, Brownley, Slotkin, McMorris Rodgers, Kilmer, Van Drew, Mills, Harshbarger, Budzinski, Mast, Steel, Mike Thompson, Trent Kelly, Connolly, Stefanik, Gallagher, Lesko, Blunt Rochester, Steube, Crenshaw, Paulina Luna, Gottheimer

Organizations Supporting:

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

Background:

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. TSA would process the veteran’s application, granting access to TSA PreCheck program provided they successfully pass 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.

A copy of the bill text can be found by clicking here.

Original source can be found here.