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H.R.2688 / 109th Congress

Guaranteeing Airport Physical Screening Standards Act of 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 26, 2005

Guaranteeing Airport Physical Screening Standards Act of 2005 - Amends federal transportation law to set a deadline of 120 days after enactment of this Act for the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security to require screening (at a minimum, screening for metal objects) or inspection of all individuals, goods, property, vehicles, and other equipment before entry into a secured area of a U.S. airport.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to require random screenings and inspections until such deadline is met.

Authorizes the Secretary to hire additional passenger and baggage screeners to ensure aviation security.

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Directs the Secretary to require airport personnel accessing airport sterile areas from unrestricted areas to undergo security screening.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that all unescorted airport personnel accessing airport sterile and secured areas have undergone a background check.

Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to report to Congress on ongoing efforts and projected timelines for: (1) developing and implementing uniform screening standards for airport personnel with access to sterile areas; (2) completing, and making available to airport operators, an assessment of available technologies applicable to securing airport perimeters; and (3) developing and implementing a standardized approach to conducting airport vulnerability assessments and compliance inspections.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18] · D–NY

Committees

  • Homeland Security Committee
8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2688 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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