Congress Stalls on Bills to Guarantee Pay for TSA and FAA Workers During Shutdowns

Proposed legislation to protect essential aviation employees has repeatedly failed to pass, leaving thousands vulnerable to financial hardship.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting a fractured, overlapping scene of a TSA security checkpoint, with repeating geometric shapes in shades of blue, grey, and red, conveying the chaotic impact of government shutdowns on air travel.The repeated failure to protect pay for TSA and FAA workers during government shutdowns has left essential aviation employees vulnerable to financial hardship.Washington Today

Efforts to ensure TSA agents and FAA employees get paid during government shutdowns continue to stall in Congress, leaving thousands of essential aviation workers in financial limbo. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have repeatedly introduced legislation aimed at protecting pay for airport security officers and air traffic controllers, but none of the measures have successfully passed.

Why it matters

The issue has gained urgency following multiple recent shutdowns that disrupted air travel nationwide. During past funding lapses, TSA agents and air traffic controllers were required to continue working without pay, leading to staffing shortages, longer security lines, and flight delays. Industry leaders and worker unions say the situation is unsustainable, as many TSA employees already earn relatively modest salaries and have struggled financially during shutdowns.

The details

Proposed bills like the Keep America Flying Act, Keep Air Travel Safe Act, and Aviation Funding Stability Act are designed to guarantee that these workers receive paychecks even when the government shuts down. However, despite years of proposals and bipartisan support, none of the measures have successfully passed. Once shutdowns end and travel conditions improve, momentum for reform tends to fade, causing the bills to stall session after session.

  • Multiple recent government shutdowns have disrupted air travel nationwide.

The players

TSA agents

Airport security officers who are required to continue working without pay during government shutdowns.

FAA employees

Air traffic controllers and other Federal Aviation Administration workers who are also required to work without pay during funding lapses.

Congress

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who have repeatedly introduced legislation to protect pay for essential aviation workers during shutdowns, but have failed to pass any of the measures.

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The takeaway

The repeated failure to pass legislation protecting pay for essential aviation workers during government shutdowns has left thousands of TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and other FAA employees vulnerable to financial hardship, disrupting air travel and raising concerns about the sustainability of the current system.