the SAFEGUARDS Act would ensure the fee is used to make dedicated investments to bolster aviation and airport security and prioritize resources to modernize screening technology, upgrade baggage detection systems, and improve checkpoint efficiency
ensure the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is dedicated to aviation and airport security, including modern screening technology and baggage detection upgrades
Occurrences
Evidence
Rep. Dale Strong said he introduced the SAFEGUARDS Act to ensure revenue from the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is invested into aviation and airport security, with dedicated investments in modern screening technology, baggage detection systems, and checkpoint efficiency.
The bill text states that the 9/11 Security Fee is an airline passenger-paid fee intended to enhance aviation security and that proceeds should be used for aviation security investments.
The House Homeland Security Committee said Strong and other Republicans introduced the SAFEGUARDS Act, which would mandate that TSA 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue be dedicated to aviation and airport security.
The committee announced a May 20 hearing on TSA modernization and noted that members led by Dale Strong had introduced the SAFEGUARDS Act that week as part of the committee’s legislative efforts.
The committee said witnesses at its TSA modernization hearing urged lawmakers to end diversion of 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue and direct it to screening technology, and it said Dale Strong led introduction of the SAFEGUARDS Act to ensure the revenue is used to enhance transportation security infrastructure.
Assessments
Strong materially pursued the promise in his current House term by introducing the SAFEGUARDS Act and advancing the issue through committee activity. The bill text closely matches the pledge to dedicate 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue to aviation and airport security upgrades, including screening technology and baggage detection. But the evidence shows proposal and advocacy only; it does not show enactment, implementation, or any actual change in how the fee is dedicated. Under the rule for serious but unsuccessful legislative effort, this is a failed delivery with effort credit rather than a partial delivery.
Strong introduced the SAFEGUARDS Act in May 2026 to direct 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue to aviation and airport security upgrades, which matches the pledge closely. But the record provided shows introduction and committee activity only, with no enactment or implemented change, so the promise was materially advanced but not fully delivered.
Strong made a concrete same-term legislative attempt by introducing the SAFEGUARDS Act, which directly matched the promise to dedicate 9/11 Passenger Security Fee revenue to aviation and airport security, including screening and baggage-detection upgrades. However, the evidence shows introduction and committee attention only, with no enactment or implementation of the promised fee dedication. Under the standard, a serious but unsuccessful legislative attempt is not delivery, so this is classified as never with an effort badge.