The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) - the leading association representing the business travel industry - expressed support for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Reauthorization bill, H.R.2200, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 379-25. NBTA congratulates the House for supporting a provision of the bill that would revitalize the Registered Traveler (RT) program in the United States. This valuable provision was included during the House Homeland Security Committee's consideration of the TSA bill under the leadership of Transportation and Infrastructure Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) and Subcommittee Member Daniel Lungren (R-CA).

NBTA President & CEO, Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, said, "NBTA is excited to see legislative efforts to enhance the Registered Traveler program, which has become popular with business traveler across the United States. We are hopeful that with direction from Congress, RT will become a true risk-management tool for secure and efficient air travel.”

The amendment would require TSA to consider how RT can be integrated into "risk-based aviation security operations," to reinstate security threat assessments and background checks for RT participants, and to review screening protocols "to realize the full potential of the Registered Traveler Program." NBTA lauded the House for rejecting attempts to dismantle the RT program and for accepting a modified amendment offered by Rep. John Mica (R-FL) to streamline screening for individuals with security clearances.

Maguire continued, “NBTA has supported the Registered Travel program since before its inception and has pushed for improvement and expansion over the years. I urge the Senate to take up this bill with included RT language to not only improve TSA’s security mission, but also to provide greater efficiency to business travelers throughout the nation.”