Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Abolish TSA Act of 2025. The bill lays out a three-year roadmap to completely dismantle the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and transfer all airport screening responsibilities to private companies.
What the Bill Proposes
At its core, the legislation calls for the elimination of the TSA within three years of the bill’s enactment. During that time, all enforcement authorities and programs currently under the TSA would either be terminated or transferred to other agencies, including the Department of Transportation.
The proposal would:
At its core, the legislation calls for the elimination of the TSA within three years of the bill’s enactment. During that time, all enforcement authorities and programs currently under the TSA would either be terminated or transferred to other agencies, including the Department of Transportation.
The proposal would:
- Abolish the TSA by 2028.
- Create a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Transfer airport screening duties to qualified private companies under federal regulation.
- Prohibit warrantless searches and seizures by private security contractors.
- Reassign TSA’s surface transportation responsibilities—including mass transit and freight rail—to the Department of Transportation.
The Push for Privatization
Senator Lee argues that privatizing airport security will boost both efficiency and safety, pointing to longstanding criticism of the TSA’s performance, high costs, and passenger dissatisfaction.
Senator Lee argues that privatizing airport security will boost both efficiency and safety, pointing to longstanding criticism of the TSA’s performance, high costs, and passenger dissatisfaction.
The bill encourages a swift transition, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to submit a full reorganization plan within 90 days. This includes detailed strategies for staff reductions, equipment transfers, and oversight mechanisms.
Regular progress reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) are also built into the legislation, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Congressional Oversight Built In
To prevent delays, the bill mandates that Congress review and vote on the reorganization plan through a streamlined approval process. Both the Senate and House have strict timelines to act on the resolution; designed to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks and fast-track the plan’s execution.
To prevent delays, the bill mandates that Congress review and vote on the reorganization plan through a streamlined approval process. Both the Senate and House have strict timelines to act on the resolution; designed to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks and fast-track the plan’s execution.
What Comes Next
The Abolish TSA Act of 2025 is expected to spark intense debate on Capitol Hill. Supporters of the bill cite a need to modernize security procedures and reduce federal overreach. Critics, however, warn that removing the TSA could lead to inconsistent standards and raise new security concerns.
The Abolish TSA Act of 2025 is expected to spark intense debate on Capitol Hill. Supporters of the bill cite a need to modernize security procedures and reduce federal overreach. Critics, however, warn that removing the TSA could lead to inconsistent standards and raise new security concerns.
With national travel expected to increase over the next decade, the future of airport security, and who manages it, is likely to become a major talking point in upcoming elections and policy discussions.
This is more than just a policy change; it’s a major shift in how Americans move through airports. Stay tuned.
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