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Bill to speed up troops in airports gets boost

Legislation to speed military travelers and their accompanying family members through airport security checkpoints has taken a big leap forward.

On Wednesday, the Democratic chairman and Republican ranking member of the Senate committee responsible for Transportation Security Agency screening introduced their companion bill to a bipartisan measure passed Nov. 30 by the House. The support of Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, the panel’s ranking Republican, makes it more likely Congress will pass the measure soon rather than just letting the House bill sit.

No specific date was announced by the Senate committee for consideration of the bill, which is similar but not identical to the House bill.

Hutchison is chief sponsor of the Senate bill, S 1954, with Rockefeller signing on as a co-sponsor. Aides said the Senate bill is identical to HR 1801, which gives TSA six months from the date of the measure becoming law to come up with expedited screening procedures so that service members are not required to remove jackets, belts, medals and shoes when passing through screening points. It would also allow troops and their accompanying family members to used expedited screening lanes, if they are available.

Expedited screening would be limited to service members in uniform traveling on orders, and their accompanying family members, at airports that have so-called “Trusted Traveler” lanes for passengers who have undergone background checks. Trusted Traveler, which launched in October, is available only at a few major airports but is expected to expand.

Expedited screening would not be guaranteed for military travelers. The pending legislation allows for the possibility that service members and their families could, under some circumstances, but singled out for scrutiny if there is a specific threat involving someone in uniform.