Rep. Cleaver’s Bill to Protect TSA Workers and Airline Passengers Passes Out of Homeland Security Committee

(Washington, D.C.) – The House Committee on Homeland Security favorably reported H.R. 1877, the Security Screening During COVID-19 Act, out of committee last week. The bipartisan legislation, which was introduced by United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue and begin implementing a plan to enhance security operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus among TSA employees and airline passengers. The bill will soon go to the House Floor for a vote.

"Our TSA workers have courageously remained on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19 to ensure air traffic can continue to operate throughout the duration of the crisis," said Congressman Cleaver. "As vaccines are distributed and airline travel continues to pick up, it's critical that the TSA have a plan in place to enhance security measures and ensure TSA employees and travelers can move as safely as possible through airports without risking uncontrolled spread of coronavirus. This common sense proposal would simply direct the TSA to create and implement security measures in airports across the country while the COVID-19 health emergency continues. I'm proud of the bipartisan support it has received, and I'm thrilled it's on the way to a vote in the House of Representatives."

Specifically, the Security Screening During COVID-19 Act would:

• Direct the TSA Administrator to coordinate with HHS and the CDC to develop an actionable plan that identifies best practices among foreign governments, airports, and air carriers regarding COVID-19
• Call on the TSA Administrator to identify specific operational changes that TSA can make to further reduce the spread of the coronavirus at our nation's checkpoints.
• Authorize the TSA to consult with stakeholders and the TSA workforce when developing the plan.
• Direct the Comptroller General to issue a report on the plan one year after it is issued and implementation has begun.

"We've made incredible progress in our national fight against COVID-19," said Congressman Cleaver. "However, we must remain vigilant and continue to be proactive to protect the American people and the security and airport employees who have kept the country running during this public health crisis. This bipartisan proposal is an important step in that direction, and I would urge all of my colleagues to support it."

You can find the official text of the Security Screening During COVID-19 Acthere.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or matthew.helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.