WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Groups representing

major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday

urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability

of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial

recognition software at security checkpoints.

The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to

consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to

opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and

prevent abuse of passenger data.

Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines ( AAL )

, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines ( DAL ),

Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) and others, along with U.S. Travel

and two airport groups, opposed the bill in a letter seen by

Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by

slowing down identity verification at every airport security

checkpoint."

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican John Kennedy,

two of the bill's sponsors, did not immediately respond to a

request for comment.

"The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to

excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading

passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can

opt out of the screening," Kennedy said in May.

Merkley said in May "folks don't want a national

surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked

expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to."

The bill would restrict TSA's current authority to use

biometrics and facial recognition technology. TSA would be

required to provide passengers with the option to have their

identity verified without use of facial recognition and prohibit

TSA from subjecting travelers choosing not having their faces

scanned to discriminatory treatment or less favorable screening

conditions.

"Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for

our national security," the airlines and others said, adding it

would "prevent TSA from achieving staffing efficiencies through

technology automation by requiring officer-based interactions -

forcing 75% of TSA's budget to remain tied to staffing rather

than technology investment."

The airlines also said it could obstruct innovation in the

aviation system like automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck

Touchless ID and "create an overwhelming and chaotic environment

at every airport security check."