House Votes to Ease Airport Screening For Troops

The House on has voted unanimously to allow military travelers on official duty to get a special preference to move through airport security checks faster.

The bill, approved Tuesday on a 404-0 vote, would give the Homeland Security Department six months to devise a preference system for the Armed Forces. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

If the bill becomes law, the earliest beneficiaries likely would be troops returning from Afghanistan next year and their family members, who also would receive preferential treatment.

The government already has initiated, and is expanding, a more intelligence-driven trusted traveler program for civilians. Participants include travelers in American and Delta airlines' frequent flier programs as well as people who are part of three other programs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)