Senator Young, colleagues VETS Safe Travel Act signed into law

This week, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) applauded their Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act being signed into law.

The legislation will provide veterans with service-connected disabilities with expedited screening under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program.

TSA PreCheck is already offered to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members at no cost. The (VETS) Safe Travel Act will expand this program to include veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. Passing through airport security with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids presents a challenge to these individuals when traveling.

“Airports can be a dreaded experience for veterans with service-connected disabilities because of the invasive screenings they may endure at security checkpoints. This new law will provide dignified travel to thousands of wounded warriors by ensuring PreCheck benefits are easily available to them,” said Senator Young.

“Millions of Veterans have sacrificed a great deal in service to our nation and returned home with service-connected disabilities—for those of us who rely on prosthetics and wheelchairs for mobility, air travel and passing through airport security can be a challenge,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud President Biden signed our bipartisan legislation into law so we can begin making TSA PreCheck available to these Veterans at no cost and make flying and passing through airports easier and less intrusive.” 

“Ensuring wounded veterans have little difficulty getting through airport security is a simple but impactful way to honor these heroes’ sacrifices for our country. I’m proud we kicked off the 119th Congress by passing this meaningful legislation for our veterans,” said Senator Marshall. 

“For veterans who have already overcome extraordinary challenges in service to our country, navigating airport security should not be another hurdle,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation recognizes the unique challenges that many disabled veterans face and helps to better ensure that their travel experience reflects the dignity of their service.”

Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs will be required to certify that a veteran is eligible. TSA will then process the veteran’s application, granting access to TSA PreCheck at no cost provided they successfully pass the background check and interview process. Additionally, TSA advises that these veterans use TSA PreCheck in conjunction with calling the TSA Cares hotline 72-hours prior to departure to ensure expedited screening.

The legislation is supported by the Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Honor Flight Network, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.