Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)
Improving Travel for American Families Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 398–12
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Improving Travel for American Families Act allows the TSA Administrator to establish a pilot program to speed up security screening for adults and children twelve years of age and under. This program aims to make travel easier for these passengers at selected airports. The Administrator must ensure that security protocols are not compromised and that all passengers are screened according to their Secure Flight status. Airports will be chosen based on passenger volume of families and the ability to provide adequate space and staff. The Administrator is required to brief specific Congressional committees on the program within 270 days of starting it. This pilot program is set to last for a period of two years.
Yes
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides for expedited security screening access specifically for children twelve years of age and under.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 398 yes · 12 no
07/13/2026 · Roll call 235 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expedited Security Access: The bill proposes a pilot program to speed up access to security screening for adult passengers and children twelve years of age and under to facilitate ease of travel (Section 2(a)).
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Efficient Resource Management: Local administration management may open or close checkpoint lanes and move resources around to increase security effectiveness and efficiency based on how many people are traveling (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Targeted Support for High-Volume Areas: The program prioritizes airports that have a high volume of passengers traveling with children (Section 2(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No explicit negative impacts or burdens are listed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides for expedited security screening access specifically for children twelve years of age and under.
- 7/14/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 7/13/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 12 (Roll no. 235). (text: CR H4395-4396)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 12 (Roll no. 235). (text: CR H4395-4396)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4403-4404)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8897.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4395-4396)
- Mr. Garbarino moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/9/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-735.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
- 5/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 5/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia