Duckworth, Young Introduce Bill To Provide TSA PreCheck To Disabled Veterans

Statement

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) today announced bipartisan legislation to make air travel easier for Veterans with disabilities by providing them with TSA Pre?® at no cost. TSA Pre?® is already available to active duty, reserve, and National Guard servicemembers at no cost. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act would expand this program to include Veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind since passing through airport security with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids presents a challenge.

"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 to join Senator Young in introducing this bipartisan legislation to make TSA Pre?® available at no cost to these Veterans and make flying and passing through airports a little easier and less intrusive."

"Our wounded warriors deserve the utmost gratitude and respect. This legislation is one way we can help improve the lives of veterans, like my colleague Senator Duckworth, who selflessly put themselves in harm's way to serve our nation," said Senator Young.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are nearly 70,000 Veterans who have had their limbs amputated and there are approximately 130,000 blind Veterans in the United States. According to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, there are 100,000 paralyzed Veterans in the United States. Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, VA would be required to certify that these Veterans are eligible. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would then process those Veteran's applications, granting access to TSA Pre?® at no cost provided they successfully pass the background check and interview process. Additionally, TSA advises that these veterans use TSA Pre?® 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, and the American Legion.

Duckworth has been a strong proponent of initiatives to make it easier for people with disabilities to travel. As a result of a law she authored, the U.S. Department of Transportation has begun to release data for the first time that reveals how many wheelchairs and motorized scooters airlines damage each month, shining a light on a serious challenge that many travelers with wheelchairs face when they fly.

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