As much as we dislike going through airport security, few would disagree some deserve to go through the PreCheck line, such as disabled veterans. Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has introduced a bill enrolling disabled veterans into the TSA PreCheck free of charge.
Rep. Gosar called his Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act "common sense" and said the bill would afford those who served and sacrificed "an easier and more dignified experience when passing through domestic airport security checkpoints by enrolling them in the expedited PreCheck program free of charge – a service already offered to Active Duty, Reservists, and National Guard servicemembers. It is my hope that this bipartisan legislation can eliminate many of the challenges disabled veterans face when traveling. No American veteran, particularly disabled veterans, should be hassled at our airports."
Specifically, disabled veterans would still be required to complete the application, background check, and interview necessary to receive TSA PreCheck clearance. However, Rep. Gosar's press release noted that up to 400,000 veterans stand to benefit from the VETS Safe Travel Act's passage into law.
Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), the bill's primary cosponsor, said, "Many men and women return home from war with new physical challenges, and as I’ve experienced firsthand, our airports are often not well designed to accommodate these changes. This bill will make traveling a little easier for those who’ve risked life and lost limb for our nation."
The VETS Safe Travel Act has received endorsements from multiple wounded veterans' organizations, including Unified Arizona Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion.
Unified Arizona Veterans' Legislative Chair Chuck Byers said, "[VETS Safe Travel Act] will provide support for our Arizona veterans and other needed veterans with disability and mobility issues to travel safely and without some of the barriers and hurdles they experience in our airports today and make travel for them a better experience."
In addition, multiple Representatives in the House have cosponsored, including Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and several Florida Republicans, including Mike Waltz, Cory Mills, Greg Steube, and Anna Paulina Luna.
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