The U.S. Senate passed the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act on Thursday by unanimous consent, prohibiting the Transportation Security Administration from providing preferential airport screening to members of Congress.

The bill, S. 4123, was introduced by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on March 18 amid a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that began February 14. It requires lawmakers to undergo the same TSA screening procedures as other passengers and bars the use of federal funds for expedited access based on official status. Members may still participate in public programs like TSA PreCheck.

No objections were raised during the Senate's consideration, avoiding a recorded vote. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration before it can reach the president for signature.

Cornyn argued on the Senate floor that the measure promotes fairness, especially as TSA staffing shortages have led to hours-long lines and flight disruptions nationwide. "Staffing constraints have not only led to longer wait times around the country but also significant delays, disruptions, and missed flights," he said. He added that some members have bypassed standard screening, a practice he called unfair, while everyday travelers wait.

The senator linked the bill to the shutdown, now in its 35th day, which has furloughed many DHS employees and strained TSA operations. At least 376 TSA agents have resigned since the shutdown started, and about 10 percent of officers have been absent daily. Travelers have reported waits of three to four hours at airports like Houston's Hobby.

Historically, members of Congress have received expedited screening and courtesy escorts through terminals by TSA or airport police, though escorts were suspended during the shutdown. Cornyn stated, "Nobody should be above the rules and regulations imposed on the American people, and a Member pin on your lapel should not give you carte blanche to skip airport screening lines."

The shutdown stems from a partisan dispute over DHS appropriations. Democrats have pushed partial funding bills for TSA, FEMA, and other agencies while seeking reforms at ICE and Border Patrol, which Republicans have blocked. Cornyn suggested the bill might motivate Congress to resolve the impasse: "Maybe, just maybe, if Congress has to live under the same laws that everybody else does, it will motivate us to get our work done."

The American Federation of Government Employees has noted financial hardships for TSA workers missing paychecks. TSA reversed plans to suspend PreCheck, and Customs and Border Protection restored Global Entry after a brief halt.