Rutherford, Cuellar Introduce the Bipartisan FAST Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During National Police Week, U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford (FL-05) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced the Federal Agents Secure Travel (FAST) Act to give federal law enforcement officers free Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck to make airport security more efficient, support our federal law enforcement officers, and make air travel safer for all Americans.

“Our federal law enforcement officers dedicate themselves and their careers to keeping Americans safe and upholding the rule of law,” said Rutherford. “They go through extensive and rigorous background checks prior to employment, making them the perfect candidates for expedited, safe travel through TSA PreCheck. Having more federal law enforcement officers in the air and in our airports makes air travel safer for all Americans, as does promoting efficient security protocols. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan FAST Act with Congressman Cuellar to support our law enforcement officers by providing them with access to safe, efficient air travel.”

“Federal law enforcement officers are already trusted to uphold the law, protect our communities, and meet rigorous security standards,” said Cuellar. “They should not have to navigate unnecessary red tape or pay additional fees to access TSA PreCheck. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to improve efficiency, support our federal agents, and maintain the strong security standards that keep the traveling public safe.”

The FAST ACT has been endorsed by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

“Federal law enforcement officers are entrusted with protecting our nation and responding to threats at a moment’s notice, both on and off duty,” said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) National President Mathew Silverman. “The FAST Act provides these officers with access to expedited airport security screening, which is a practical and well-deserved benefit that recognizes their service, enhances travel efficiency, and helps ensure they can move quickly when operational or personal circumstances require. We thank Reps. Rutherford and Cuellar for their continued leadership and steadfast commitment to the federal law enforcement community.”

Many federal law enforcement officers travel as part of their official duties. This new benefit would make it easier for those officers to travel, while not compromising the high standards of the TSA PreCheck program. The bill is modeled off a program that gives servicemembers and Department of War civilians access to free TSA PreCheck.