Indy Standard

U.S. Senators Todd Young, Tammy Duckworth, Roger Marshall, and Maggie Hassan have announced the signing of the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act into law. This legislation aims to provide veterans with service-connected disabilities expedited screening through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program.

Currently, TSA PreCheck is available at no cost to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members. The VETS Safe Travel Act will extend this benefit to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind. These individuals often face challenges when passing through airport security due to prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

Senator Young remarked on the difficulties faced by veterans with disabilities at airports: “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.”

Senator Duckworth highlighted the sacrifices made by veterans: “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.” She expressed pride in President Biden's signing of the bipartisan legislation.

Senator Marshall emphasized honoring veterans' sacrifices: “Ensuring wounded veterans have little difficulty getting through airport security is a simple but impactful way to honor these heroes’ sacrifices for our country.”

Senator Hassan noted that navigating airport security should not be an additional challenge for veterans: “For veterans who have already overcome extraordinary challenges in service to our country, navigating airport security should not be another hurdle.”

The VETS Safe Travel Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify veteran eligibility. Once certified, TSA will process their application for TSA PreCheck access at no cost after a successful background check and interview process. TSA also advises eligible veterans to use TSA PreCheck along with calling the TSA Cares hotline 72 hours before departure for expedited screening.

The legislation has received support from several organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project and Paralyzed Veterans of America.