The TSA bill did not pass as a single standalone measure

There is no single "TSA bill" that Congress voted on as its own piece of legislation. Instead, TSA funding and policy changes move through the federal budget process or get attached to larger bills. The most recent major TSA-related action was the TSA Modernization Act, which Congress included in the omnibus spending bill passed in December 2022. That bill funded TSA operations and authorized new screening technology and staffing increases through fiscal year 2023.

If you are looking for information about a specific TSA proposal — such as changes to PreCheck fees, new screening procedures, or airport security staffing — the status depends on which proposal you mean. TSA policy changes can come from Congress, from the Department of Homeland Security (which oversees TSA), or from TSA itself without requiring new legislation.

Congress does not typically pass a bill called "the TSA bill." Instead, TSA receives funding through annual appropriations bills, and policy changes either come through those spending bills or through separate legislative proposals that may or may not advance.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA funding is approved as part of the annual federal budget, not through a standalone bill with that name.
  • The TSA Modernization Act, passed in December 2022, was the most recent major TSA legislation and included funding and technology upgrades.
  • Specific TSA policy changes — such as PreCheck pricing or new screening rules — may come from Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, or TSA leadership without requiring a new bill.
  • To find the current status of a particular TSA proposal, you need to know which specific change or funding measure you are asking about.

How TSA funding actually moves through Congress

TSA does not receive money through a dedicated bill. Instead, Congress approves TSA funding as part of the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, which is part of the larger annual spending package. This happens every fiscal year, usually by September 30, though Congress often passes continuing resolutions that extend the previous year's funding while negotiations continue.

When Congress wants to make changes to how TSA operates — such as raising PreCheck fees, adding new screening technology, or changing staffing levels — those changes either get written into the appropriations bill or into a separate legislative proposal. The TSA Modernization Act of 2022 is an example: it was a standalone bill that Congress passed and included in the December 2022 omnibus spending package.

If you are tracking a specific TSA proposal, the best source is Congress.gov, where you can search by bill number or topic and see whether a bill has been introduced, passed committee, or voted on by the full House or Senate.

What the TSA Modernization Act of 2022 actually did

The TSA Modernization Act was signed into law in December 2022 as part of the omnibus spending bill. It authorized funding for TSA operations and included provisions for new screening technology, additional staffing, and improvements to airport security infrastructure. The bill also addressed PreCheck and other trusted traveler programs, though it did not eliminate or drastically change those programs.

The law authorized funding through fiscal year 2023, which ended September 30, 2023. After that date, TSA continued operating under subsequent appropriations bills and continuing resolutions. Congress has not passed a new comprehensive TSA modernization bill since then, though individual proposals related to TSA may be introduced in each session of Congress.

How to learn about a specific TSA proposal passed

If you heard about a particular TSA change — such as a new fee, a change to screening procedures, or a staffing increase — the way to check its status depends on where the change is coming from. If it requires new legislation, search Congress.gov by the bill number or by keywords like "TSA" and the topic. The site will show you whether the bill was introduced, passed committee, or voted on.

If the change is a policy decision rather than a law, it may come from the Department of Homeland Security or from TSA leadership without requiring Congress to vote. In that case, check the TSA's official website (tsa.gov) or the Department of Homeland Security press releases for announcements.

Many TSA changes that travelers notice — such as new PreCheck pricing, changes to what you can bring through security, or updates to trusted traveler programs — are announced by TSA directly and do not require a bill to pass.

Why TSA bills are hard to track

TSA legislation is scattered across multiple bills and budget processes, which makes it confusing to follow. A single proposal might be introduced as its own bill, then get folded into a larger appropriations bill, then get delayed or modified before final passage. Sometimes a proposal dies in committee and never reaches a vote. Other times, a proposal passes one chamber but not the other.

Additionally, TSA policy changes can happen without any bill at all. The agency has authority to make certain decisions — such as adjusting PreCheck fees or updating screening procedures — without going back to Congress for permission. Those changes are announced through TSA channels, not through legislative votes.

Recent TSA-related legislative activity

Since the TSA Modernization Act of 2022, Congress has introduced various proposals related to TSA operations, staffing, and technology. These have included bills to address airport security staffing shortages, to fund new screening equipment, and to modify trusted traveler programs. However, none of these have passed as standalone legislation in the way the 2022 modernization act did.

Individual appropriations bills continue to fund TSA operations each year. These bills are often passed as part of larger spending packages and do not receive the same public attention as standalone legislation, which is why many people are unaware that TSA funding was approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a bill called "the TSA bill" that I can look up?

No. TSA funding and policy changes move through appropriations bills and various legislative proposals, but there is no single bill with that name. If you are looking for a specific TSA proposal, search Congress.gov by the topic or bill number.

Did Congress pass anything about TSA recently?

The most recent major TSA legislation was the TSA Modernization Act, passed in December 2022. Since then, Congress has approved TSA funding through annual appropriations bills, but no new comprehensive TSA modernization bill has passed.

How do I know if a TSA change I heard about actually happened?

Check the TSA's official website (tsa.gov) for announcements about policy changes. If the change requires new legislation, search Congress.gov. If it is a policy decision made by TSA or the Department of Homeland Security, it will be announced through those agencies' official channels, not through a bill vote.

Can TSA make changes without Congress passing a bill?

Yes. TSA has authority to make certain policy decisions — such as adjusting PreCheck fees, updating screening procedures, or modifying what items are allowed through security — without requiring Congress to vote on a new bill. These changes are announced by TSA directly.