The first piece of legislation introduced by freshman U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a bill designed to ease airport security screenings for severely injured and disabled veterans and military members, is headed to the White House for approval.
The bill, known as the Helping Heroes Fly Act, passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.
Gabbard, a Democrat, said the bill’s approval was the result of building solid relationships with colleagues and having serious discussions to set partisanship aside and find common ground.
“This is a bill that recognizes the trust that we place in our servicemen and women and honors their sacrifices by making sure they’re treated with dignity while traveling,” Gabbard said Friday in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C. House members gave final approval to the bill Friday before recessing for the summer break.
“The issues and challenges that veterans are facing continue to exist, and this area is one where there is much common ground to be had, and it’s by bringing people together and having these conversations that we can try to find some real solutions,” Gabbard added.
The measure directs the Transportation Security Administration to provide expedited passenger screening for injured and disabled active-duty military members and veterans.
“There is nothing more frustrating than to see these heroes returning home after defending our nation only to have to go through secondary screening in our airports. It’s offensive and insulting,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement.
“The Helping Heroes Fly Act will put an end to this and treat our wounded warriors with the dignity they deserve.”
The proposal was introduced in March and is the first bill introduced this year by a member of Hawaii’s four-person delegation to be approved and sent to the president for his signature.
