TSA Officers Face Uncertainty as Paychecks Halt During Shutdown

Vermont TSA staff members will receive no paychecks this week amid ongoing federal funding lapse.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The union for Transportation Security Administration officers in Vermont told a local news station that staff members will receive no paychecks this week, after their most recent check was for a partial amount. This comes as the federal funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security drags on, leaving TSA employees uncertain about when their next paycheck will arrive.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has created significant financial hardship for TSA officers, many of whom are now having to work second jobs or struggle to pay rent and other bills. This uncertainty and lack of reliable income could lead some dedicated TSA staff to seek employment elsewhere, potentially impacting airport security and safety.

The details

Cody Putnam, a union steward for the Vermont TSA officers, described the 'feelings of fear and anxiety' among his colleagues, with some having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. The TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security, whose funding has been in limbo since mid-February due to the ongoing political impasse over federal immigration reform.

  • The TSA officers' most recent paycheck was for a partial amount.
  • This week, the Vermont TSA staff members will receive no paychecks at all.

The players

Cody Putnam

A union steward for the Vermont TSA officers, who described the financial hardship and uncertainty facing his colleagues.

Sen. Peter Welch

A Democratic senator from Vermont who voiced support for TSA workers but said reforms at the Department of Homeland Security are needed.

Jeff Bartley

The director of innovation and marketing at the Leahy Burlington International Airport, which is providing occasional free meals and collecting non-perishable food, personal items, and store gift cards to support the TSA officers during the funding lapse.

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What they’re saying

“The uncertainty brings up a lot of feelings of fear and anxiety. We have people here who have to work two jobs now. We've got people who are students who also have families.”

— Cody Putnam, Union Steward

“TSA agents are invaluable. They get us where we need to go, and—most importantly—they keep us safe. They deserve to be paid. I fully support funding TSA, and Democrats offered a bill to do just that last week. Unfortunately, it was blocked last week by the Republican majority.”

— Sen. Peter Welch

“It's a tough time for them. They are our friends, our family, they're our neighbors. Some of them coach youth sports, they volunteer in their communities, and it's very difficult to hear the stories that they're sharing, that they're choosing between paying for gas, paying for food, trying to work something out with their rent because they're not getting those paychecks. And it's not just now, but a lot of them are still trying to recover from the last shutdown.”

— Jeff Bartley, Director of Innovation and Marketing, Leahy Burlington International Airport

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partial government shutdown has created significant financial hardship for TSA officers, who are essential to maintaining airport security and public safety. The uncertainty and lack of reliable income could lead some dedicated staff to seek employment elsewhere, potentially impacting the TSA's ability to fulfill its mission.