Airport Workers Miss Pay as US Government Shutdown Hits One Month

TSA officers forced to work without pay as travel season ramps up, raising fears of staffing shortages and longer security lines.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:51pm

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US airport security officers missed their first full paycheck on Friday as a partial funding shutdown of the government approached the one-month mark, with no breakthrough in a congressional standoff that is beginning to disrupt travel across the country. The lapse in funding is forcing thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff to work without pay as spring travel picks up, raising fears of staffing shortages, longer security lines and flight delays.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown is having a direct impact on airport operations and travelers, as TSA workers who screen passengers and baggage are being forced to work without pay. This could lead to staffing shortages and longer security lines, disrupting travel plans during a busy spring break season.

The details

More than 300 TSA employees have already left the agency since the shutdown began on February 14, and unscheduled absences have more than doubled. Airports in several cities have warned passengers to arrive hours earlier than usual because of long security lines. Some TSA officers are already taking on second jobs or relying on donations, while several major airports are collecting gift cards and stocking food pantries for TSA staff struggling without pay.

  • The government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • TSA officers received only partial pay two weeks ago.
  • Friday, March 13, 2026 marked the first full paycheck missed by TSA officers.

The players

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening of passengers and baggage.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal department that oversees the TSA and other immigration enforcement agencies.

Johnny Jones

A Dallas-based official in the government workers' union AFGE.

Chuck Schumer

Senate Democratic Minority leader.

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What they’re saying

“No funds for daycare, no funds for food. They just want to know why the hell they can't get paid when we have money to shoot missiles into other countries.”

— Johnny Jones, Dallas-based official in government workers' union AFGE (USA TODAY)

“Thanks to the Democrats' reckless shutdown, security lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are stretching OUT THE DOOR. The Democrats' political games are making spring break travel a NIGHTMARE as they continue to withhold funding from DHS and refuse to pay our (TSA) officers.”

— Department of Homeland Security (Department of Homeland Security statement)

“Democrats have tried — six separate times — to pass simple bills to keep these critical parts of DHS running while negotiations continue. Six times Republicans came to the floor and blocked them. TSA officers shouldn't miss paychecks, disaster relief shouldn't be left hanging, and Americans' safety shouldn't be collateral damage in a political standoff Republicans created.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Minority leader (Chuck Schumer statement)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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