H.R. 820 would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk of contaminating breastmilk, baby formula, and related accessories during the passenger screening process at airports. The bill also would require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to audit that guidance.
According to information from the agency, TSA regularly updates its guidance for screening breastmilk and related items under current law. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing that provision would not significantly affect the federal budget. Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that conducting the audit would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
On February 13, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 260, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 5, 2025. The two pieces of legislation are similar, and CBO’s estimates of their budgetary effects are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Krupkin. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel
Director, Congressional Budget Office