What happened
The White House released its 2027 budget proposal, highlighting a plan to cut $52 million by privatizing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The strategy involves a gradual approach, starting by requiring small airports to enroll in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), where private screeners are paid for by the TSA. The administration cites demonstrated savings and reform of a "troubled Federal agency" as key drivers. This follows previous legislative efforts like the Abolish the TSA Act but represents a more incremental shift. Current SPP usage includes major hubs like San Francisco (SFO) and Kansas City (MCI) as well as smaller airports. The long-term scope—whether this extends to all airports or remains limited to smaller ones—is not yet defined