WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed Senator Roger Wicker’s, R-Miss., Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, putting it one step closer to becoming law. It will now be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policies often mandate separate applications for required credentials such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsements, even though TSA conducts a Security Threat Assessment (STA) for each program. Meaning, applicants have to submit duplicative background check paperwork and fees.

The legislation would standardize the process so applicants only have to enroll at a TSA enrollment center once to apply for multiple credentials. Applicants would not be charged twice for the same STA. These reforms do not make any modifications to the backend security assessment conducted on individual applicants.

Senator Wicker’s legislation would streamline this process and cut through the red tape.

“We need to do everything possible to power American commerce. My bill is one step toward that goal. It would help essential workers save time and money, adding more truckers to the workforce and keeping supply chains moving,” Senator Wicker said.

The full text of the legislation can be found here. U.S. Senators Angus King, I-Maine, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., are original cosponsors of the legislation.