SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Moran, Van Hollen, Bennet, and Boozman, demands that the 9/11 Security Fee charged on every airline ticket be used only for aviation security — not diverted to other government spending. Congress declares that using these fees for unrelated purposes "undermines public trust."
• Starting in 2026, the bill doubles the annual deposit into the existing Aviation Security Capital Fund from $250 million to $500 million per year. This money comes from the same passenger security fees already collected, but would now stay within TSA instead of being redirected.
• The bill creates an entirely new fund — the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund — with $250 million per year starting in fiscal year 2026. This money is earmarked for buying, installing, and maintaining the latest screening equipment at airport checkpoints and exit lanes.
• The new checkpoint technology fund can also reimburse airports for security upgrades already completed, applying retroactively to projects started on or after January 1, 2023. This means airports that have already invested in newer screening systems could recoup some of those costs.