Senate Moves to End Airport Perks for Lawmakers During DHS Shutdown

Legislation would require all members of Congress to undergo the same TSA screening as the general public

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:55pm

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The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that would permanently end the preferential treatment that allows members of Congress to skip standard airport security lines. The legislation, introduced by Senator John Cornyn, would mandate that all members of the House and Senate undergo the exact same Transportation Security Administration screening procedures as the general public. The move comes as the TSA faces a severe staffing crisis due to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding lapse, with more than 360 officers resigning and sick calls surging, leading to hour-long wait times and missed flights for travelers across the country.

Why it matters

The legislation is seen as a way to motivate Congress to resolve the funding crisis and end the disruptions to air travel caused by the DHS shutdown. Supporters argue that if lawmakers have to experience the same delays as the general public, it may spur them to take action to reopen the agency.

The details

The Senate bill prohibits the use of federal funds to provide lawmakers with expedited access or 'courtesy escorts' through airport terminals, a perk that has long separated elected officials from the average traveler. Senator Cornyn said the only reason the shutdown has lasted 35 days is that many lawmakers haven't had to deal with the consequences personally. However, Democrats have criticized the move as a symbolic gesture, arguing that the focus should be on agency reform rather than stripping perks.

  • The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, March 21, 2026.
  • The DHS funding lapse began in mid-February 2026.

The players

Senator John Cornyn

The Republican senator from Texas who introduced the legislation to end airport security perks for members of Congress.

Senator Patty Murray

The Democratic senator from Washington who criticized the Republican approach, arguing that the focus should be on agency reform rather than symbolic gestures.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe, just maybe, if Congress has to live under the same laws that everybody else does, it will motivate us to get our work done in order.”

— Senator John Cornyn

“Republicans are refusing to pay TSA agents unless Congress provides even more money to ICE without basic reforms. That's a ridiculous false choice. It's past time Republicans stop holding TSA agents hostage as they drag their feet on common sense steps to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.”

— Senator Patty Murray, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee

What’s next

The bill now moves to the House, where it must pass before heading to President Trump's desk. If signed into law, lawmakers will be required to join the back of the line at airport security checkpoints.

The takeaway

This legislation is an attempt to motivate Congress to resolve the ongoing DHS funding crisis by forcing lawmakers to experience the same disruptions and delays to air travel that the general public is facing due to the TSA staffing shortages. However, some critics argue that the focus should be on broader agency reforms rather than symbolic gestures.