HR 9391: Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026

HR 9391 in plain English: This bill extends the TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program through FY2031 and expands the pilot program from a maximum of 8 locations to up to 14 locations. The program allows TSA to be reimbursed for providing passenger screening services outside an airport terminal's existing primary screening area.

Stated purpose

This bill extends the TSA's Reimbursable Screening Services Program through fiscal year 2031 and allows it to expand to more locations. The program lets TSA provide security screening outside the normal airport checkpoint area and be paid back for doing so.

Key points

• Extends the TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program through FY2031.
• Expands the pilot program from up to 8 locations to up to 14 locations.
• Program allows TSA to offer reimbursed screening services outside standard airport screening areas.

Arguments supporters make

• The program lets TSA recover its costs from private participants, reducing the burden on taxpayers while still maintaining federal security standards.
• Expanding to 14 locations gives more airports and businesses access to flexible screening options, which can improve travel convenience and efficiency.
• Extending the program through 2031 provides stability and allows enough time to fully evaluate whether the model works before making permanent decisions.

Arguments opponents make

• Allowing private entities to pay for TSA services could create a two-tier system where better-resourced locations get preferential or more convenient screening than others.
• Expanding a pilot program before publishing thorough results or evidence that it works at current locations moves faster than the data may justify.
• Having TSA serve paying private clients alongside its core public mission could create conflicts of interest or stretch agency staffing and resources thin.

Tradeoffs

Expanding the program spreads flexible screening to more locations and helps TSA recover costs, but raises questions about whether public security resources should be directed by private payments and whether smaller or less wealthy locations are left at a disadvantage.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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