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House passes package of aviation, homeland and elections measures; recorded votes show broad bipartisan support
Summary
The House on July 13 passed a slate of bills under suspension of the rules, including the Safeguards Act directing passenger security fees toward TSA screening, extensions of TSA pilot programs, and several homeland- and election-related measures. Two bills were decided by recorded electronic vote (HR 3106: 400–7; HR 8897: 398–12).
The House passed a large package of bills on July 13, advancing measures on aviation security funding, TSA pilot programs, homeland security reporting and election administration.
Lawmakers moved many items under suspension of the rules, a fast-track procedure that requires two-thirds support. Several bills were debated briefly on the floor and approved by voice vote; two measures were decided by recorded electronic roll calls. The House approved H.R. 3106 (a DHS exercise and cascading infrastructure readiness requirement) by recorded vote, 400 yeas to 7 nays, and H.R. 8897 (Improving Travel for American Families Act) by recorded vote, 398 yeas to 12 nays.
The Safeguards Act (H.R. 8770), described by a floor sponsor as a move to restore passenger security‑fee revenue to its intended purpose, passed under suspension of the rules. “I rise in support of H.R. 8770, the Safeguards Act,” a sponsor said on the floor, arguing the bill would direct fees to modernize explosive‑detection and checkpoint technology and strengthen screening capacity. Supporters noted passenger security fees generated several billion dollars in recent years and argued dedicating more of those funds to TSA will accelerate equipment upgrades.
Other bills that cleared the floor included extensions and expansions of TSA pilot programs (for reimbursable screening, one‑stop international screening and family‑friendly lanes), reporting requirements for UASI funding transitions, and measures to strengthen DHS oversight of major non‑NATO allied threat assessments. Members also passed a suite of election administration measures, including H.R. 3535 to extend foreign‑funding prohibitions to certain ballot initiatives and H.R. 8738 to modernize FEC administrative filings.
Votes at a glance - H.R. 6332 — Gerald E. Connolly Post Office Building (Fairfax, Va.): motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (motion introduced SEG 462; passage announced SEG 756) - H.R. 7809 — Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building (Georgetown, Ohio): motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (motion introduced SEG 759; passage announced SEG 933) - H.R. 8770 — Safeguards Act (aviation security fee direction): motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 953; passage announced SEG 1173) - H.R. 9328 — Improving Travel for Military Members Act (TSA pilot for active duty): motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 1175; passage announced SEG 1317) - H.R. 8874 — Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act: motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 1339; passage announced SEG 1515) - H.R. 9391 / H.R. 9388 / H.R. 9388 (one‑stop pilot / reimbursable screening / related TSA pilots): motions to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice votes. (see debate entries SEG 1536–1775) - H.R. 8535 — Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act: motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 2195; passage announced SEG 2298) - H.R. 7574 — ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act (DHS): motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 2319; passage announced SEG 2466) - H.R. 3535 — Stop Foreign Funds and Elections Act: motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 2469; passage announced SEG 2722) - H.R. 8738 — FEC Administrative Improvements Act: motion to suspend rules and pass; passed by voice vote. (debate began SEG 2726; passage announced SEG 2864) - H.R. 3106 — Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act: recorded electronic vote 400 yeas, 7 nays; passed. (recorded vote and tally SEG 2897–2901) - H.R. 8897 — Improving Travel for American Families Act: recorded electronic vote 398 yeas, 12 nays; passed. (recorded vote and tally SEG 2913–2918)
What changed and why it matters Supporters said the Safeguards Act and related measures will channel existing passenger fees toward security technology and provide continuity for successful TSA pilot programs, arguing the changes improve traveler safety and operational predictability. Sponsors of homeland and DHS oversight bills said recurring reporting (for UASI transitions, for example) will help Congress monitor whether critical local security capabilities erode when federal grant eligibility changes. Election‑law bills on the floor aim to extend existing foreign‑fund prohibitions and modernize disclosure to fit digital filing practices.
What to watch next Most of the measures passed under suspension will require House‑Senate agreement and the president’s signature to become law; the bills passed by recorded vote will have vote records on the congressional record. Committees and appropriators will continue to examine how fee dedication and pilot expansions interact with agency budgets and workforce concerns.
