VETS Safe Travel Act
Also known as Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act
Where it stands
- Introduced2/15/24
- Passed HousePassed 12/10/24
- SenatePassed 12/19/24
- PresidentSigned 1/4/25
- LawPublic Law 118-238
Passed the House by voice vote on December 10, 2024. Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 19, 2024. Became Public Law 118-238 on January 4, 2025.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act
This act makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements.
Veterans who are eligible for this fee waiver are those who the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined to have a service-connected disability and require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of an extremity; (2) full or partial paralyzation; or (3) permanent blindness. The veteran must also be in the patient enrollment system of the VA.
The act specifies that the TSA may not increase enrollment fees for the PreCheck Program in order to carry out this fee waiver program.
The VA and the TSA must implement a process under which eligible veterans may receive the PreCheck Program benefit.
Further, the VA and the TSA must implement a process to provide disabled veterans with effective outreach about programs that are designed to improve the screening process for passengers with disabilities. The VA and the TSA must also assess the awareness of veterans of relevant TSA programs and examine the need and feasibility of other measures to improve travel security procedures for disabled veterans.
47
2/15/24
What happens next
Became Public Law 118-238.
All actions (24)
- 2/15/24Introduced in House
- 2/15/24Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2/15/24Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 2/29/24Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 9/25/24Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged
- 9/25/24Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 9/25/24Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 12/10/24Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 118-846, Part I.
- 12/10/24Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged.
- 12/10/24Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 691.
- 12/10/24Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/10/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6566-6568)
- 12/10/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7365.
- 12/10/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6566-6567)
- 12/10/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6566-6567)
- 12/10/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 12/11/24Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 12/19/24Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 12/19/24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 12/19/24Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7223)
- 12/20/24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 12/27/24Presented to President.
- 1/4/25Signed by President.
- 1/4/25Became Public Law No: 118-238.