As of March 18, 2026, TSA agents (and over 85,000 other Department of Homeland Security personnel) are not getting paid because of a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026.
This is the second major shutdown within the last six months, and the situation has become increasingly dire for federal workers at airports across the United States.
Why is the shutdown happening?
The current standoff is rooted in a legislative battle over immigration enforcement reforms.
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The Conflict: Democrats in the Senate have refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—which oversees the TSA—without guaranteed reforms regarding how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operate.
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The Impasse: Republicans have countered by attempting to pass short-term funding bills to keep the TSA and FEMA running, but these have been rejected by Democrats who argue it would allow immigration agencies to continue current practices without new accountability measures.
Current Impact on TSA Agents
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Zero-Dollar Paychecks: On Friday, March 13, the majority of TSA officers received their first $0 paycheck of this shutdown. They had previously received only partial pay in the prior cycle.
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Essential Status: Because TSA agents are deemed “essential personnel,” they are legally required to show up for work despite the lack of pay.
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Staffing Shortages: High financial strain has led to an increase in “call-outs” and resignations. Reports indicate that over 300 agents have quit since the shutdown began, and absenteeism is currently around 10% nationwide.
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Airport Donations: Several major airports (including Denver, Seattle, and Las Vegas) have set up food pantries and are asking the public for donations of gas cards, groceries, and baby supplies to help unpaid staff.
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What happens next?
While federal law (passed in 2019) guarantees that all workers will receive back pay once the government reopens, there is currently no clear timeline for a resolution. Airline CEOs from Delta, United, American, and others recently sent an urgent letter to Congress warning that the aviation system is reaching a breaking point as spring break travel peaks.
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