H.R. 8902 — WATCH Personnel Act of 2026

This section establishes a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers in fiscal year 2026. It requires the TSA Administrator to adjust that minimum salary each October 1 beginning in fiscal year 2027 to reflect the prior year's percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, rounded to the nearest dollar and ignoring increases below 1 percent.

This section provides funding for standard pay, allowances, and benefits to Transportation Security Administration employees during any lapse in fiscal year 2026 appropriations beginning February 14, 2026. It also authorizes a $10,000 bonus to each Transportation Security Officer employed on that date, which does not count as basic pay for retirement or other benefits.

This section terminates appropriations and funds made available and authority granted under section 3 upon the first occurrence of an enacted appropriation for any covered purpose, an enacted appropriations resolution or Act without funding for such purpose, or September 30, 2026.