Congress Stalls on Bills to Pay Aviation Workers During Shutdowns

Lawmakers leave for recess as Department of Homeland Security remains largely shut down

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:10pm

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Lawmakers are leaving town for a two-week recess with the Department of Homeland Security still largely shut down. Multiple bipartisan bills to ensure the pay of essential federal aviation workers like air traffic controllers and TSA agents during government shutdowns have stalled in Congress, despite growing public frustration over disruptions to air travel.

Why it matters

Shutdowns that disrupt air travel have continued, with workers going unpaid and causing safety risks and long delays at airports. While Congress has introduced several bills to protect aviation worker pay, the legislation has consistently stalled, leaving workers and travelers vulnerable to the impacts of future funding lapses.

The details

Since 2019, lawmakers have introduced and reintroduced multiple proposals to pay aviation workers who would have to keep reporting for duty in the event of another budget impasse, such as the Aviation Funding Stability Act and the bipartisan Aviation Funding Solvency Act. Broader bills like the Shutdown Fairness Act would maintain pay for essential federal workers across the government. However, these measures have all stalled in Congress. The latest shutdown, which began on February 14th over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, has left TSA agents and other DHS employees working without pay.

  • The 35-day shutdown that arose over funding for a border wall during President Trump's first term resulted in delays at East Coast airports.
  • Last fall's 43-day shutdown broke the record for the longest funding lapse and revived concerns over the consequences of requiring air traffic controllers to work without pay.
  • The latest DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2023 and is still ongoing as lawmakers leave for recess.

The players

Eric Chaffee

A Case Western Reserve law professor whose research includes risk management in the aviation industry.

Carlos Rodriguez

A TSA agent and local union leader in New York.

Johnny Jones

Secretary-treasurer of the TSA division of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Chris Sununu

The president and CEO of Airlines for America, a trade group representing major U.S. airlines.

Caleb Harmon-Marshall

A former TSA officer who runs a travel newsletter called Gate Access.

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What they’re saying

“Congress cares about headlines, and as a result of that, it means they don't always make changes that would be really beneficial.”

— Eric Chaffee, Law Professor

“Part of the American dream that I was sold was that working for the government was honorable and stable. But this is not honorable or stable.”

— Carlos Rodriguez, TSA Agent and Union Leader

“We're on the chess board.”

— Johnny Jones, Union Secretary-Treasurer

“Congress has the power to end this dysfunction once and for all, and must use any legislative vehicle to accomplish this goal.”

— Modern Skies Coalition

“Right now, lawmakers are sitting on their hands doing nothing with three viable, bipartisan bills that could prevent this mess.”

— Chris Sununu, Airlines for America CEO

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.