Senators file bill to end luggage rescreening requirements for Canadian bags

Airline baggage would be able to cross the Canadian-U.S. border with less of a chance of an international incident if a bill from Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is approved.

The lawmakers introduced legislation this week (S. 3542) that would ease restrictions for international luggage on flights from Canadian airports that are the equivalent of U.S. airport security.

The change would will make travel between the neighboring countries much easier, the lawmakers said. 

"I’m pleased to work with my colleague on this bipartisan bill that streamlines the international baggage screening process while preserving the highest levels of security,” Blunt said in a statement. “By making baggage screening more efficient for passengers traveling to our country, this legislation will benefit the American tourism industry, while boosting economic development and job creation.”

Klobuchar added that changing the requirement for "preclearance" airports would also make the Transportation Security Administration's job easier.

“Requiring luggage to undergo the exact same screening process twice in one flight puts a burden on our international aviation security system and creates an unnecessary hassle for travelers,” Klobuchar said. “This commonsense legislation will allow the TSA to ensure the security of luggage more efficiently and effectively while reducing delays for passengers.”

The House passed a similar version of the bill, which has been dubbed the No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012, this week. The House version of the bill (H.R. 6028) was sponsored by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.).

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