What does Preamble of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This bill makes continuing appropriations for essential Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pay and operations. The appropriations are intended to cover a lapse in appropriations beginning on February 14, 2026. The bill includes provisions for other purposes, though these are not specified in the preamble.

What does SHORT TITLE. of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Workforce Assurance for Transportation and Critical Homeland Personnel Act of 2026.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGHER RATES OF PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes higher rates of pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. The Administrator of the TSA must set a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) by 90 days after the Act's enactment, effective for fiscal year 2026. For fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years, the minimum annual salary for TSOs will be adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the preceding 12-month period compared to the CPI for fiscal year 2026. The salary adjustment will occur on October 1st of each year. Increases in the CPI will be rounded to the nearest dollar, and increases less than 1 percent may be ignored. The 'Consumer Price Index' is defined as the CPI for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What does CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This section provides continuing appropriations for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel for fiscal year 2026. It allocates funds to cover standard pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments for TSA employees during a period when interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect, beginning February 14, 2026. Each TSA officer employed as of February 14, 2026, is eligible for a $10,000 bonus. Bonuses paid under this section are not considered basic pay for retirement, life insurance, or other employee benefits. Payments under this section are restricted; an employee cannot receive payments using both these funds and other appropriations during the same period. Expenditures made under this section will be charged to the applicable future appropriations when enacted. Payments are subject to the requirements of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025.

What does TERMINATION. of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines the termination conditions for appropriations and authority granted under section 3. The availability of funds under section 3 ceases when an appropriation is enacted for the purposes outlined in section 3. The availability of funds also terminates if an appropriations resolution or Act is enacted without any appropriation for the specified purpose. Funds are available until September 30, 2026, unless one of the prior conditions is met.

What does RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE. of WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 do?

This Act will have a retroactive effective date.

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WATCH Personnel Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/28/2026 · Introduced: 4/28/2026

Author: Ben Luján (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) starting in fiscal year 2026, with subsequent annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.
The bill provides continuing appropriations for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, including a $10,000 bonus for eligible employees, to cover a lapse in appropriations beginning February 14, 2026.
Funding provided by this bill will terminate when a subsequent appropriation is enacted for the same purpose, or by September 30, 2026, whichever occurs first.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4073(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

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