May 19, 2026
Ms. Pou introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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
Making continuing appropriations for essential Transportation Security Administration pay and operations during the lapse in appropriations beginning on February 14, 2026, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Workforce Assurance for Transportation and Critical Homeland Personnel Act of 2026
or the WATCH Personnel Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Establishment of higher rates of pay for Transportation Security Administration personnel
(a) In general
The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall—
(1)
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, set the minimum annual salary for a Transportation Security Officer to $40,000 for fiscal year 2026; and
(2)
for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, adjust the minimum annual salary for a Transportation Security Officer as provided by subsection (b).
(b) Adjustment of salary for inflation
(1) In general
The Administrator shall adjust the minimum annual salary for a Transportation Security Officer, on October 1, 2026, and at the beginning of each fiscal year thereafter, to reflect the percentage (if any) of the increase in the average of the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period compared to the Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 2026.
(2) Special rules for calculation of adjustment
In adjusting under paragraph (1) the minimum annual salary for a Transportation Security Officer, the Administrator—
(A)
shall round the amount of any increase in the Consumer Price Index to the nearest dollar; and
(B)
may ignore any such increase of less than 1 percent.
(3) Consumer price index defined
In this subsection, the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.
Sec. 3. Continuing appropriations for Transportation Security Administration personnel
(a) In general
There are hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2026, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the period beginning on February 14, 2026, during which interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 are not in effect, such sums as are necessary—
(1)
to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments otherwise payable on a regular basis to employees of the Transportation Security Administration; and
(2)
to provide a $10,000 bonus to each Transportation Security Officer employed and working for the Transportation Security Administration as of February 14, 2026.
(b) Limitation on treatment of bonuses
A bonus paid under subsection (a)(2) shall not be considered basic pay for purposes of retirement, life insurance, or any other employee benefit.
(c) Limitation to individuals affected by lapse in appropriations
Amounts provided under subsection (a) may not be used to provide pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, or other payments under paragraph (1) of that subsection or a bonus under paragraph (2) of that subsection to an employee of the Transportation Security Administration for any portion of the period described in subsection (a) for which the employee is provided with such pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, or other payments using amounts other than amounts provided under subsection (a).
(d) Charge to future appropriations
Expenditures made pursuant to subsection (a) shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever an Act in which such applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization is included is enacted into law.
(e) Terms and conditions
Pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments provided by the Transportation Security Administration using amounts provided under subsection (a) shall be subject to the requirements, authorities, conditions, and limitations applicable with respect to the provision of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments by the Transportation Security Administration under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119–4; 139 Stat. 9).
Sec. 4. Termination
Appropriations and funds made available and authority granted under section 3 shall be available until whichever of the following first occurs:
(1)
The enactment into law of an appropriation (including a continuing appropriation) for any purpose for which amounts are made available in section 3.
(2)
The enactment into law of the applicable regular or continuing appropriations resolution or other Act without any appropriation for such purpose.
(3)
September 30, 2026.
Sec. 5. Retroactive effective date
This Act shall take effect as if enacted on February 13, 2026.