HR 9388: One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act

HR 9388 in plain English: This bill extends and revises the TSA's One Stop Security pilot program, which allows eligible international passengers with connecting U.S. flights to skip additional TSA security re-screening for themselves and their checked baggage. The extension pushes the program's end date from December 23, 2028, to December 23, 2032, and adds new security requirements for baggage to qualify for the exemption.

Stated purpose

This bill extends the TSA's One-Stop Security pilot program through 2032 and updates its safety requirements. The program allows eligible travelers arriving from certain foreign airports to connect to domestic flights without being rescreened by TSA, as long as specific security conditions are met.

Key points

• Extends the One Stop Security pilot program from December 23, 2028, to December 23, 2032.
• Eligible passengers arriving from certain foreign airports may skip TSA re-screening when connecting to U.S. flights.
• Passengers must be unable to access their checked baggage until reaching their final destination to qualify.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection must receive baggage images from the foreign airport before the passenger arrives in the U.S.

Arguments supporters make

• Skipping duplicate screening reduces wait times and congestion at U.S. airports, making connecting flights smoother for travelers.
• The updated requirements — including baggage image sharing with CBP and preventing passenger access to checked bags — add meaningful security checks while keeping the process efficient.
• Extending a working pilot program gives the government more time to gather data and decide whether to make it permanent, without rushing the decision.

Arguments opponents make

• Allowing checked baggage to bypass TSA rescreening relies heavily on the security standards of foreign airports, which may not match U.S. levels consistently.
• Extending the program to 2032 is a long commitment for what is still a pilot, and Congress may be locking in a practice before fully evaluating whether it is truly safe.
• Passengers flagged by CBP are stopped, but the system depends on timely and accurate data from foreign airports — gaps or errors in that data could create security blind spots.

Tradeoffs

The program trades the added security layer of domestic TSA rescreening for faster and more convenient connections, placing greater trust in foreign airport screening and data-sharing systems. Travelers gain convenience while the security burden shifts toward upfront foreign screening and CBP image review rather than a redundant domestic check.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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