Republicans Move to Block TSA’s $45 Fee for Air Travelers Without REAL ID

Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking to eliminate a newly introduced $45 fee imposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on air passengers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification.

The effort is included in a draft of the Homeland Security Department’s annual spending bill for fiscal year 2027, according to a report published Monday. The provision explicitly states that the TSA would be barred from imposing or collecting any fee related to identity verification for passengers lacking proper identification during airport security screening.

Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee argue that the “ConfirmID” program, launched in February, exceeds the TSA’s legal authority. They also say the system is significantly more expensive than previous procedures, which allowed passengers without ID—such as those affected by natural disasters or theft—to undergo free identity verification.

TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl defended the policy in December, saying most travelers already carry REAL ID-compliant identification or passports. He argued that passengers who arrive without proper documents should bear the cost of additional identity verification rather than shifting the burden to taxpayers. According to the agency, more than 94 percent of travelers already present valid identification at checkpoints.

The proposed budget also reduces overall TSA funding to $11.2 billion, down $347 million from the previous year. It encourages greater use of public-private partnerships in security screening operations. While funding for Federal Air Marshals would be cut by $290.4 million, maintenance funding for screening technology would increase by $192 million.