Officials Weigh Pros and Cons of Privatizing TSA Amid Airport Woes

Lawmakers and unions debate whether privatization would improve reliability and security or raise costs for travelers.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:35pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic oil painting depicting a solitary TSA security checkpoint booth in a dimly lit airport terminal, the booth bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a melancholy and uncertain mood about the future of airport security.As the debate over privatizing airport security rages on, a sense of unease lingers over the future of the TSA and the reliability of air travel.San Francisco Today

The recent Department of Homeland Security shutdown and record wait times at airports across the country have reignited calls to privatize the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill argued that private contractors, known as SPP screeners, have not missed paychecks like TSA employees. However, critics like Rep. Nikki Budzinski warn that privatization would raise consumer costs and undermine security, pointing to past issues with low wages and high turnover at private airports.

Why it matters

The debate over privatizing TSA touches on broader questions about the role of government in providing essential public services, the tradeoffs between cost savings and service quality, and the balance between security and efficiency at airports.

The details

The president's fiscal 2027 budget request asked lawmakers to expand the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which allows private contractors to handle security screening at nearly two dozen airports. Proponents argue this would save taxpayers over $50 million, a 0.4% reduction in TSA's $11 billion budget. However, critics like the American Federation of Government Employees union say privatization would undermine security and point to past issues with low wages and high turnover at private airports.

  • The Department of Homeland Security shutdown occurred recently.
  • Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testified before Congress this week.

The players

Ha Nguyen McNeill

The acting administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Rep. Nikki Budzinski

A Democratic Congresswoman from Illinois who cautions that privatization would raise consumer costs.

American Federation of Government Employees

The union representing most TSA workers, which argues privatization would undermine security.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Until recently, TSA employees had missed nearly one billion in paychecks this fiscal year. In contrast, SPP screeners have not yet missed a paycheck.”

— Ha Nguyen McNeill, Acting TSA Administrator

“Privatization is a scam.”

— Rep. Nikki Budzinski, Democratic Congresswoman from Illinois

“Privatization would undermine security, pointing to failures before 9/11 when workers were paid as low as $6 an hour and employee turnover exceeded over 100 percent a year at most large airports.”

— American Federation of Government Employees, Union representing most TSA workers

What’s next

The president's fiscal 2027 budget request to expand the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) will need to be approved by Congress.

The takeaway

The debate over privatizing TSA highlights the ongoing tension between cost savings, service quality, and security at airports. While proponents argue privatization could improve reliability, critics warn it would raise costs and undermine safety, pointing to past issues. Lawmakers will have to weigh these tradeoffs as they consider the administration's budget proposal.