Bill · S. 4422· Senate(119-S-4422)
WATCH Personnel Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/28/2026
- Last activity
- 4/28/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "WATCH Personnel Act of 2026," aims to provide essential funding for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pay and operations. It requires the TSA Administrator to set a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers for fiscal year 2026. The bill also establishes a system to adjust these salaries annually based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. Additionally, it provides continuing appropriations to ensure employees receive standard pay, benefits, and a specific bonus during a lapse in appropriations starting February 14, 2026. These funds are intended to bridge the gap until regular appropriations are enacted.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?+7
The bill mandates a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers for fiscal year 2026.
Would union members be better off under this?+6
The bill establishes permanent annual salary increases linked to the Consumer Price Index to protect worker purchasing power.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill raises the minimum pay for TSA officers and provides an inflation-based adjustment mechanism.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases government spending through mandatory salary floors, inflation adjustments, and one-time bonuses.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?-1
While not directly affecting veterans, the bill's specific exclusion of bonuses from retirement calculations aligns with traditional benefit limitations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Minimum Salary for TSA Officers: The bill directs the TSA Administrator to set the minimum annual salary for a Transportation Security Officer to $40,000 for fiscal year 2026 (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Inflation Protection for Pay: The bill requires the minimum annual salary to be adjusted every fiscal year based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (Section 2(b)(1)). This ensures that pay can reflect changes in the cost of living (Section 2(b)).
-
Guaranteed Pay and Benefits During Budget Lapses: The bill appropriates funds to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, benefits, and other regular payments to TSA employees during the period beginning February 14, 2026, while full-year appropriations are not in effect (Section 3(a)(1)).
-
One-Time Financial Bonus: The bill provides a $10,000 bonus to each Transportation Security Officer who is employed and working for the TSA as of February 14, 2026 (Section 3(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Bonus Usage: While employees receive a $10,000 bonus, the law specifies that this bonus cannot be considered basic pay when calculating retirement, life insurance, or any other employee benefits (Section 3(b)).
-
Limitations on Use of Funds: The money provided to cover pay and bonuses during a lapse in appropriations cannot be used if the employee is already receiving those payments from other sources (Section 3(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Minimum Wage+7Reduces Government Spending-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits-1
- 4/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.