Travelers Demand Paychecks for TSA Agents During Shutdown

Air travelers unite in calling for Transportation Security Administration officers to be paid amid ongoing budget impasse.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:40am

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Transportation Security Administration officers have not received paychecks since the partial government shutdown began on February 14, as Democrats and Republicans in Congress remain at odds over funding the Department of Homeland Security. Travelers at airports across the country, including in Atlanta and Dallas, are voicing frustration over the situation and calling for TSA agents to be paid, with some saying it's time for Democrats to compromise to end the standoff.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown is having a direct impact on air travel, with TSA staffing shortages leading to long security lines at some of the busiest airports in the country. This is raising concerns about the ability to maintain adequate security and safety at airports, as well as the financial hardship faced by TSA agents who are working without pay.

The details

The partial government shutdown has affected funding for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to TSA agents missing paychecks since February 14. Democrats have refused to approve funding for the agency unless changes are made to immigration enforcement, while Republicans argue that all of DHS needs to be funded. The situation has resulted in staffing shortages at airports, with wait times spiking as high as 90 minutes in Atlanta on Saturday. President Trump has threatened to send ICE agents to airports to assist with security, focusing on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the country illegally.

  • The partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • On Saturday, March 22, 2026, travelers at airports across the country were voicing frustration over the situation.

The players

Patrice Clark

A traveler whose trip to Las Vegas began with a nearly four-hour wait in a security line at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Christian Childress

A private flight attendant who frequently goes through TSA checkpoints when flying commercial to get to his job.

Tyrone Williams

A retiree from the Atlanta suburb of Ellenwood who was queued up for screening before his flight to Philadelphia on Saturday.

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has threatened to send ICE agents to airports to assist with security.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune

A Republican senator from South Dakota who has urged the bipartisan group negotiating the shutdown to act quickly to find a solution.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody (has) got bills they have to pay, and it's horrible. Times are hard for everybody at this point. Working and not getting paid and gas prices are extremely high -- like everybody needs their money. They need to pay them.”

— Patrice Clark

“Issue No. 1 should be paying the people who need to get paid and keeping our air travel system secure. Then they can debate whatever they want to debate about homeland security.”

— Christian Childress, private flight attendant

“I don't want to go between the Democrats and the Republicans, but I think the Democrats are holding everything up because they can't get their way.”

— Tyrone Williams, retiree

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before.”

— President Donald Trump

“If that group that's meeting can't come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse.”

— Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican senator from South Dakota

What’s next

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The takeaway

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