GOP Senators Aim To Abolish Agency In New Legislation

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced legislation to abolish the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).

“Tired of getting felt up by an army of federal employees? @SenTuberville and I just introduced a bill to abolish the TSA,” Lee said.

Tired of getting felt up by an army of federal employees? @SenTuberville and I just introduced a bill to abolish the TSA.https://t.co/kbob5U3fCV

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 27, 2025

“Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today introduced the Abolish the TSA Act, which would dissolve the bloated and ineffective Transportation Security Administration while allowing America’s airports to compete to provide the safest, most efficient, and least intrusive security measures, under a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight,” a press release from Lee’s office read.

“The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives,” Lee said.

“Our bill privatizes security functions at American airports under the eye of an Office of Aviation Security Oversight, bringing this bureaucratic behemoth to a welcome end. American families can travel safely without feeling the hands of an army of federal employees,” he continued.

“The TSA is an inefficient, bureaucratic mess that infringes on Americans’ freedoms,” Tuberville said.

“It’s a bloated agency—riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars—that has led to unnecessary delays, invasive pat downs and bag checks, and frustration for travelers. We need to focus on more efficient and effective methods to protect our country without sacrificing the liberties and freedoms of American citizens. The TSA should be eliminated and replaced with privatized solutions that are more targeted, streamlined, and where appropriate, accountable to limited government oversight,” he added.

Just in: Utah GOP Senator @BasedMikeLee has introduced legislation to abolish the TSA pic.twitter.com/L1BBDU12as

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 27, 2025

Fox News reports:

The measure would officially abolish the TSA three years after being enacted into law, which the senators believe would provide time for security needs to be privatized.

The bill would also direct the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Transportation to make a reorganization plan and submit it to Congress.

Republicans look to abolish TSA in favor of private security at airports https://t.co/ROCeJuXFlc

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) March 27, 2025

Legislation has been introduced by Senator MIKE LEE to abolish the TSA.

Entirely.

It would be PRIVATIZED.

LEE: “The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives.”

“Our… pic.twitter.com/KdsVE2HjHz

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 27, 2025

Per Deseret News:

If passed, the legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security secretary to consult with the Transportation secretary to draft a reorganization plan and submit it to Congress for review.

The plan must include details about how the Office of Aviation Security Oversight would operate and lay the groundwork for the privatization of airport security. The plan must also detail the transfer of non-aviation security functions to the Department of Transportation, such as mass transit, freight rail, pipelines, and more.

Additionally, the report must propose reductions of TSA operations and personnel to facilitate transfer of duties.

The report must be submitted to Congress within 90 days of enactment.

While compiling details, the report must not contain requirements for private security companies to conduct warrantless searches or extend the TSA’s existence, according to the legislation. However, the bill does allow for lawmakers to consider amendments to the reorganization plan.