As TSA Wait Times Surge, Bill Would End Special Privileges For Lawmakers Special privileges have long existed for members of Congress and their staffs, allowing them to quickly skip long Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening lines. But that luxury will end if a bill passed by unanimous consent in the Senate March 19 is also passed by the House. The legislation, authored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), aims to end preferential airport screening access for members of Congress. The push comes as TSA staffing shortages during the ongoing partial government shutdown have led to long lines at airports nationwide. The wait time at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport was more than four hours long on Monday.
