Thanks to BVA’s recent advocacy efforts and additional support from at least six other Veterans Service Organizations, air travel for many blind and low vision veterans will be greatly simplified in both the near and long-range future. The legislation makes TSA PreCheck benefits available at no cost to qualifying veterans, including those with sight loss. The new law will result in greater efficiency and eliminate invasive searches for blind and low vision veterans passing through airport security checkpoints.

The bipartisan Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act successfully passed the House of Representatives on December 10, 2024. In an expedited procedure requiring unanimous consent, the bill passed the Senate on December 19. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 4, 2025.

National Executive Director/National Legislative Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. worked with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) to reintroduce the legislation in the Senate after conferring with key House members and staff to advance its version in mid-December. The House bill was originally introduced on February 15, 2024, by Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ-9).

Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will certify that a veteran is eligible to apply for the TSA PreCheck program free of charge. TSA will process the veteran’s application, granting access to the PreCheck program provided that the necessary background check and interview process are successfully passed. Using information from VA, at least 325,000 veterans will be eligible for this screening program.

In addition to BVA, the legislation was also supported by the Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Second Chance, Inc., and Veterans Airlift Command. A copy of the full bill text is available using the link below.