PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Mar 5, 2020
Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
This bill modifies the workplace rights, protections, and benefits applicable to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel.
Specifically, the bill
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
within 180 days, eliminates personnel authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation governing the conditions of employment for TSA employees, thus making TSA employees subject to the personnel management system applicable to other federal employees;
sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates, leave rights, and other rights of TSA employees;
requires DHS to consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of such positions;
does not affect the prohibitions against disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the federal government;
expresses the sense of Congress that the personnel system used by the TSA provides insufficient benefits and workplace protections for its workforce and such personnel should be provided protections and benefits under the civil service system applicable to all federal employees;
directs the TSA to consult with public and private entities associated with the Federal Air Marshal Service to address concerns regarding federal air marshals, including mental health and suicide rates;
prohibits TSA employees from using or installing the social media video application TikTok on U.S. government-issued mobile devices;
requires DHS to prioritize the hiring of veterans, including disabled veterans; and
directs the TSA to ensure its employees are provided proper guidance regarding prevention and protections against the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19).
People & committees
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] · D–MS
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 171 (Roll no. 90).
House roll call 90 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 171 (Roll no. 90).
House roll call 90 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 - 175 (Roll no. 89).
House roll call 89 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lesko motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment adding at the end of section 4 the rule of construction which states the Secretary shall ensure that the Transportation Security Administration continues to prevent the hiring of individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime, and offense involving a minor, a crime of violence, or terrorism.
Mrs. Lesko moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Homeland Security. (text: CR H1517)
The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1140.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1515-1519)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1140 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Thompson (MS) moved that the Committee rise.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Mucarsel-Powell amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (MS) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mucarsel-Powell amendment No. 9.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Spanberger amendment No. 8.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cisneros amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (MS) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cisneros amendment No. 7.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kim amendment No. 6.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brown (MD) amendment No. 5.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters amendment No. 4.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rose (NY) amendment No. 2.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 877, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) amendment No. 1.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1508-1514; text: CR H1509)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1140 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Thompson (MS) moved that the Committee rise.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1140.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 877 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1140 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that is shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of March 5, 2020, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV, relating to a measure making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2020.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 877. (consideration: CR H1485-1489)
Rule H. Res. 877 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 877 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1140 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. The resolution provides that is shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of March 5, 2020, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules as though under clause 1 of rule XV, relating to a measure making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2020.
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Homeland Security, H. Rept. 116-398, Part II.
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Homeland Security, H. Rept. 116-398, Part II.
SUPPLEMENTAL FILING AUTHORITY - Ms. Underwood asked unamious consent that the Committee on Homeland Security be authorized to file a supplemental report on H.R. 1140. Agreed to without objection.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 320.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-398, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-398, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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