Congressman Paul Gosar has announced the passage of H.R. 7365, known as the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide expedited security screening under the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program for severely injured or disabled veterans at no cost.
"I am very pleased that my bipartisan and common-sense bill passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives," stated Congressman Gosar. He highlighted that Arizona, his home state, hosts over 450,000 veterans, with nearly 30% living with a disability. The challenges faced by these veterans at standard airport checkpoints include long waits and balancing difficulties when removing shoes or standing in scanners. Gosar emphasized that such tasks could pose fall hazards or require special assistance.
"No American veteran, particularly disabled veterans, should be hassled at our airports," said Congressman Gosar. He urged the Senate to consider the VETS Safe Travel Act to assist disabled veterans who have served the country.
The VETS Safe Travel Act was introduced by Congressman Gosar on February 15, 2024, and marked up by the House Homeland Security Committee on September 25, 2024. The act allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify severely injured veterans eligible for free TSA PreCheck application processing. Veterans must pass a background check and interview process to access this service.
Approximately 325,000 veterans are expected to qualify for this benefit based on data from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The legislation is supported by organizations including Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Operation Second Chance Inc., Unified Arizona Veterans, Texas Coalition of Veteran Organizations, and Veterans Airlift Command.
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