Obama signs bill capping TSA fees

President Obama has a signed into a law a measure that limits the amount airline passengers can be charged in fees to help fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to $11.20. 

The measure limits the amount of times passengers can be charged the $5.60 aviation security fee, which is tacked onto the cost of airplane tickets, to twice per round trip. 

Lawmakers approved an increase in the aviation security fee as part of a budget agreement last year, but backers of the measure that was signed by Obama on Friday said the TSA was taking advantage of a legislative loophole to charge airline passengers more for airport security. 

{mosads}“In tough economic times, I know that every extra dollar spent on more fees and taxes adds up,” Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who sponsored the legislation in the House, said in a statement earlier this month when the bill was approved by the Senate. 

“Rolling back fees and reducing taxes on airline passengers benefits everyone — from helping families save money when traveling for the holidays to cutting costs for small businesses whose employees travel for work,” Hudson continued. 

The aviation industry has criticized the aviation security fee hike, which went into effect in July, because the money has not been used entirely for the TSA. 

Lawmakers had looked to hike the aviation fees in previous budget negotiations, but they did not pull the trigger until this year.

TSA officials have noted that the agency did not request the fee increase.