Published Date: 17.07.2025 15:18 / Politics Ezrah Klien Ezrah Klien

Noem Hints at Lifting TSA Liquid Limits

Noem Hints at Lifting TSA Liquid Limits

TSA may soon lift the 3.4 oz liquid rule for carry-ons, Homeland Security’s Noem announces, signaling major travel changes.

Noem Previews Major Change to Airport Security

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday that the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) is actively reviewing its liquid restrictions for airline carry-ons, suggesting a potential end to the rule limiting containers to 3.4 ounces. The announcement came at an event in Washington, D.C., where Noem referenced the possibility of rolling back the policy that has been a hallmark of U.S. airport security since 2006.

Noem, who last week eliminated the requirement for travelers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints nationwide, said, “The liquids I’m questioning, so that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be.” She cited recent advances in TSA screening technology, explaining, “We have put in place in TSA a multilayered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still as safe.”

A Post-9/11 Policy Under Review

The 3.4-ounce limit on liquids in carry-ons was instituted after authorities thwarted a 2006 terror plot in London, where militants aimed to detonate liquid explosives disguised in drink bottles on transatlantic flights. The policy requires all liquid containers in carry-ons to be 3.4 ounces or less and fit into a single quart-sized resealable bag. Larger containers must be checked, with some exceptions for medications and baby formula.

For nearly two decades, the liquid rule has come to symbolize the stringent security measures adopted in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The policy has added time and stress at security checkpoints, leading to frequent scenes of passengers discarding drinks or repacking bags. TSA agents are required to confiscate items that don’t comply, a source of frustration for many travelers.

Noem did not give a timeline for when an official change might take effect. She emphasized her broader vision for streamlining airport security, saying, “Hopefully, the future of an airport, where I’m looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your plane. It takes you one minute.”

The possible elimination of liquid restrictions comes as the U.S. prepares to manage major events across the country, including America250 celebrations, the Olympics, and FIFA World Cup matches. Noem stated that she is “questioning everything TSA does,” aiming to strike a balance between security and traveler convenience. The agency recently cited new scanning technologies as the basis for rolling back the shoe-off rule, signaling a broader shift in the way Americans experience air travel.

While officials have yet to confirm a formal policy change, Noem’s remarks have raised expectations for a more efficient and passenger-friendly future at U.S. airports, potentially ending one of the most familiar post-9/11 security routines for millions of travelers.