Sacramento TSA Workers Struggle Without Pay During Partial Shutdown

Labor leaders push Congress to end impasse affecting transportation security employees

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

TSA workers in the Sacramento area are urging Congress to quickly reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security as the partial government shutdown continues and employees work with little to no pay. The union representing TSA employees in Northern California said members are still trying to recover from the last shutdown and the current financial strain is continuing for many.

Why it matters

The ongoing partial government shutdown is causing significant hardship for TSA workers in Sacramento and across the country, who are required to work without pay. This is the third time in six months these federal employees have faced this challenge, raising concerns about worker morale, retention, and the potential impact on airport security.

The details

Lawmakers have yet to reach a bipartisan compromise to fund the Department of Homeland Security, leaving TSA employees in the Sacramento region without paychecks. The union representing these workers said members have already missed part of a paycheck and could soon miss a full paycheck if the shutdown continues. Meanwhile, a California state senator has introduced a bill to prevent landlords from evicting federal employees impacted by the shutdown.

  • The partial government shutdown has lasted about a month so far.
  • During the last government shutdown, TSA workers in the region were without pay for 43 days.

The players

James Mudrock

President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230, which represents TSA employees in Northern California.

Doris Matsui

Democratic U.S. Representative who co-sponsored a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and CBP.

John Thune

Republican U.S. Senate Majority Leader who blamed Democrats for TSA workers missing paychecks.

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

California state Senator who introduced a bill to prevent landlord evictions of federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.

Fabrizio Sasso

Representative of the Sacramento Central Labor Council.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Unfortunately for the 3rd time in the last 6 months our people are out there working without pay.”

— James Mudrock, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230 (abc10.com)

“Congress needs to find a way to get our people the money that they owe them for the hard work that they do.”

— James Mudrock, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230 (abc10.com)

“Democrats will once again leave Washington today and head to the airport, where they will walk past some of the 50,000 TSA agents who are missing part of their pay because of Senate Democrats.”

— John Thune, U.S. Senate Majority Leader (abc10.com)

“Folks in Washington who are so detached from the everyday struggle of Americans. This is what they should expect that workers will stand up and fight.”

— Fabrizio Sasso, Representative of the Sacramento Central Labor Council (abc10.com)

What’s next

California state Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas' bill to prevent landlord evictions of federal employees impacted by the government shutdown is still moving through the state Legislature.

The takeaway

The ongoing partial government shutdown is causing significant hardship for TSA workers in Sacramento and across the country, who are required to work without pay. This is the third time in six months these federal employees have faced this challenge, raising concerns about worker morale, retention, and the potential impact on airport security.