WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s airports are feeling the pressure as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into week five.
The ripple effect is now hitting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers and travelers nationwide.
It’s day 34 of the partial government shutdown — and for Transportation Security officers, it’s déjà vu. This is the third time in six months they’ve gone without a paycheck.
“They can’t afford it. Most TSA workers, as most Americans, are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Aaron Barker, an Atlanta-based TSA employee and AFGE Local 554 president.
Despite the financial strain, most are still on the job — screening bags, checking IDs and keeping the flying public safe. However, officials warn — if the stalemate in Congress drags on: “They’re going to continue to call out. They can’t afford to come in and they’re going to quit altogether. And that’s a serious concern,” said Adam Stahl, TSA acting deputy administrator.
At airports across the country, fewer TSA agents are showing up. Many are calling in sick. And so far, at least 300 have quit or retired as a result of the current partial government shutdown. The result is longer lines, missed flights and frustration among travelers.
“This is disgraceful,” one traveler told CNN at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
On Capitol Hill — still no breakthrough. Democrats have sent a new proposal to the White House, but early reports suggest it does little to break the stalemate.
“Republicans have decided to force TSA agents to work without pay. Inconvenience millions of Americans across the country and create chaos at airports rather than get ICE under control,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
“Airlines are pleading with Democrats to please fund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La.
Some lawmakers are feeling “travel fatigued” with the partisan gridlock’s impact on TSA and airport operations.
Congressman Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., is introducing new legislation that would bypass any future gridlock and pay TSA agents from a trust fund of passenger travel fees.
“The Pay TSA Act of 2026 would address this gap by ending the diversion of passenger paid security fee revenues away from aviation security and instead dedicating those funds directly to sustaining TSA operation,” said Langworthy. “This is a national security crisis waiting to happen. Passing this bill and signing it into law is a no-brainer.”
Langworthy says every purchase of an airline ticket has a 9/11 passenger security fee attached to it, to support aviation security and the mission of the TSA. The TSA can’t use that fund for personnel and operations and instead depend on annual appropriations processes — making them vulnerable to partisan gridlock and shutdowns.
“In the event of a lapse, a government shutdown, the trust fund would allow TSA officers to continue receiving pay and support the continuity of airport screening and security operations,” said Langworthy. “Under my bill, funding would be first prioritized to compensate TSA personnel. Any remaining funds could then be used to strengthen aviation security through investments and technology upgrades in airport infrastructure improvements,” Langworthy added.
In the meantime, TSA officers continue working without pay, passengers continue waiting and the nation’s airports remain stuck in the middle.
