HR2086119th CongressWALLET

Rights for the TSA Workforce Act

Sponsored By: Representative Thompson (MS)

In Committee

Summary

Applies the Title 5 federal personnel system to Transportation Security Administration employees. The bill would move TSA staff onto standard federal pay, hiring, and labor rules to preserve pay and strengthen workplace protections.

Show full summary
  • Screening agents would gain Title 5 labor protections, including the ability to form a bargaining unit under Chapter 71 and continuation of existing pay and leave benefits during the transition.
  • Federal air marshals and TSA criminal investigators would keep Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and get overtime parity with the Fair Labor Standards Act, and certain premium pay would count toward pay and retirement calculations.
  • Office of Personnel Management and payroll systems would be updated to Title 5 job series and pay rules within 180 days, the conversion would complete by Dec 31, 2025, and the Comptroller General would review recruitment, promotions, harassment policies, and require annual TSA workforce reports.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Move TSA workers to Title 5 by 2025

If enacted, TSA workers would move under Title 5 on a date set by the Secretary, no later than December 31, 2025. TSA could not change existing personnel policies after enactment, except limited updates to match annual pay and for emergencies with 7‑day notice to Congress. OPM and the National Finance Center would update job series and payroll within 180 days after enactment or by December 31, 2025, whichever is earlier. Workers with pending grievances could shift to Title 5 processes, and deadlines would pause until those rights start. The Secretary would consult the union within 7 days and share written plans before bargaining rules begin.

Protect pay and leave at conversion

If enacted, on conversion a worker’s adjusted basic pay and law enforcement availability pay would not go down. Accrued annual, sick, and other paid leave would carry over, subject to Title 5 limits. Part‑time screeners would get the same pay premiums as full‑time staff, and split‑shift pay where eligible. Emergency leave and group retention incentives could be used even if other Title 5 limits would block them.

Stronger union rights for TSA screeners

If enacted, within 90 days after enactment, Title 5 labor and appeal rules would cover TSA screening agents. The union certified on June 29, 2011 would be the exclusive representative. Bargaining would be national, with local bargaining only if both sides agree. Current agreements would stay until a new Title 5 agreement is signed.

Air marshal pay: LEAP, overtime, and caps

If enacted, starting on the conversion date, Federal air marshals would receive availability pay (LEAP) and overtime calculated so they are not worse off than under the Fair Labor Standards Act. For air marshals and criminal investigators hired before enactment, OPM would count pre‑Act premium pay toward pay and retirement. But for those hired before enactment, premium‑pay eligibility would be capped at the pre‑Act maximum set by TSA.

Oversight reports and retirement planning steps

If enacted, the Administrator would send an annual report to Congress within one year, covering morale, retention, and survey results. GAO would review hiring, promotions and diversity, harassment policies, and implementation within set timelines. An implementation review would start within 60 days after the conversion date, with a report due within one year after conversion. TSA would brief Congress on assaults within 90 days, propose a retirement‑pay plan within 90 days, and align background‑check rules within one year.

Funding to carry out workforce changes

If enacted, the bill would authorize whatever funds are needed to carry out these changes, available until spent. Actual money would still require a later appropriations bill.

No change to federal strike bans

This bill would not change federal laws that ban strikes by government employees. It would not authorize any strike activity that is illegal today.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Thompson (MS)

MS • D

Cosponsors

  • Connolly

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • DeLauro

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • McIver

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Underwood

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Kennedy (NY)

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Bacon

    NE • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Fitzpatrick

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Van Drew

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Malliotakis

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • LaLota

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Lawler

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Tonko

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Garbarino

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Jayapal

    WA • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Bonamici

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Norcross

    NJ • D

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  • Wilson (FL)

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Figures

    AL • D

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  • Menendez

    NJ • D

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  • Garcia (CA)

    CA • D

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  • Tlaib

    MI • D

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  • Barragan

    CA • D

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  • McBath

    GA • D

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  • Cherfilus-McCormick

    FL • D

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  • Dingell

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

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  • Davis (IL)

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/14/2025

  • Titus

    NV • D

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  • Swalwell

    CA • D

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  • Casten

    IL • D

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  • Casar

    TX • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Williams (GA)

    GA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Kelly (IL)

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Sherrill

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • McClellan

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Torres (NY)

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Schneider

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Nadler

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Sherman

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Cohen

    TN • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Correa

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Budzinski

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Pallone

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Khanna

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • McGarvey

    KY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Magaziner

    RI • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Ocasio-Cortez

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Wasserman Schultz

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Ramirez

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Pingree

    ME • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Goldman (NY)

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Takano

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Brownley

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Mannion

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Vargas

    CA • D

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  • Houlahan

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Lynch

    MA • D

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  • Case

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Moore (WI)

    WI • D

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  • Deluzio

    PA • D

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  • Sanchez

    CA • D

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  • Moulton

    MA • D

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  • Espaillat

    NY • D

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  • Mullin

    CA • D

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  • Watson Coleman

    NJ • D

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  • Scott (VA)

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Frankel, Lois

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Waters

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Salinas

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • McBride

    DE • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Ansari

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

  • Scanlon

    PA • D

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  • Peters

    CA • D

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  • Clarke (NY)

    NY • D

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  • Johnson (TX)

    TX • D

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  • Elfreth

    MD • D

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  • Cisneros

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/27/2025

  • Meng

    NY • D

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  • Neguse

    CO • D

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  • Conaway

    NJ • D

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  • Latimer

    NY • D

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  • Gillen

    NY • D

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  • Pou

    NJ • D

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  • Subramanyam

    VA • D

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  • Garcia (IL)

    IL • D

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  • Golden (ME)

    ME • D

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  • Vindman

    VA • D

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  • Horsford

    NV • D

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  • Thanedar

    MI • D

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  • Larson (CT)

    CT • D

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  • Mrvan

    IN • D

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  • Morelle

    NY • D

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  • Chu

    CA • D

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  • Riley (NY)

    NY • D

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  • Suozzi

    NY • D

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  • Meeks

    NY • D

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  • Frost

    FL • D

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  • Velazquez

    NY • D

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  • Kamlager-Dove

    CA • D

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  • Stansbury

    NM • D

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  • Garcia (TX)

    TX • D

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  • Jacobs

    CA • D

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  • Gottheimer

    NJ • D

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  • Garamendi

    CA • D

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  • Friedman

    CA • D

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  • Fletcher

    TX • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2025

  • Levin

    CA • D

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  • Omar

    MN • D

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  • Pettersen

    CO • D

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  • Sewell

    AL • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Harder (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Evans (PA)

    PA • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Scott, David

    GA • D

    Sponsored 8/1/2025

  • Doggett

    TX • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Escobar

    TX • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Carter (LA)

    LA • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Fields

    LA • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Carbajal

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Olszewski

    MD • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Sykes

    OH • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Ryan

    NY • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Raskin

    MD • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • Johnson (GA)

    GA • D

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  • Lofgren

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/12/2025

  • DeSaulnier

    CA • D

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  • Gonzalez, V.

    TX • D

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  • Leger Fernandez

    NM • D

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  • Stanton

    AZ • D

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  • Sorensen

    IL • D

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  • Hoyle (OR)

    OR • D

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  • Min

    CA • D

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  • Hayes

    CT • D

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  • Morrison

    MN • D

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  • Dexter

    OR • D

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  • Crow

    CO • D

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  • Thompson (CA)

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Moskowitz

    FL • D

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  • Matsui

    CA • D

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  • Castor (FL)

    FL • D

    Sponsored 10/24/2025

  • Brown

    OH • D

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  • Vasquez

    NM • D

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  • Green, Al (TX)

    TX • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Simon

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

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