Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers nationwide have endured more than a month without paychecks during a partial government shutdown.
Agency data show the TSA has lost 366 officers since the standoff began.
Johnny Jones, with Local 100 in North Texas, knew of a few who resigned but could not confirm ties to the Capitol Hill impasse. He confirmed the financial strain on workers.
“They missed their paycheck this weekend. It was a big fat zero in a bank account,” Jones said, CBS News Texas reported. “And two weeks before that, most officers received anywhere between 25 and zero percent.”
The shortfall derailed Jones’ family plans for a drive to New Orleans or Disney World.
“Right now, she’s playing volleyball. Getting a little bit of spring break volleyball in, but that’s about it. Nothing’s going on,” he said about his daughter. “My son can’t go nowhere. It’s his last year in high school.”
TSA officers start at base salaries from $34,454 to $55,486, per TSA Career updates.
The shutdown started at 12:01 a.m. February 14, over stalled funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Disputes center on Immigration and Customs Enforcement money, viewed as reform by one side and a non-starter by the other.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced on October 15, 2025, aimed to provide essential workers with pay during shutdowns, with supposed bipartisan backing. It fell short 54-45 eight days later. Reconsideration came on November 7, but no action was taken on the bill.
“Sure, the federal employees would love to see it pass. I just don’t think that the politicians want to pass it,” Jones said. “With that bill being passed, it would probably eliminate the leverage that they want to use to use the federal employee to whatever they need to use this for in their political bargaining.”
Tensions flared over the issue outside Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday afternoon. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) addressed reporters as U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) arrived with food for TSA officers.
Typical: blaming others for their own refusal to fund patriotic TSA agents and keep Texans safe. Disgraceful https://t.co/B8i8lkABvj
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 16, 2026
Inside the airport, Cornyn said Democrats have “taken the wrong hostage … They decided not to pay the men and women that are keeping us safe in our airports and in our skies in order to try to extract some political advantage.”
Here’s Cornyn inside, saying Democrats have “taken the wrong hostage.”
“They decided not to pay the men and women that are keeping us safe in our airports and in our skies in order to try to extract some political advantage.” pic.twitter.com/xswwHv4q7B
— Kayla Guo (@kaylaguo_) March 16, 2026
Donations and gift cards have flowed to TSA employees nationwide, with no resolution in sight.
