TSA Workers Face First Missed Paycheck as DHS Shutdown Drags On: 'A Big Fat 0'

MarketDash

Mar 13, 3:58 AM

As the Department of Homeland Security shutdown enters its fourth week, TSA employees are set to miss their first full paycheck, with some resorting to donating plasma and sleeping in cars to make ends meet.

Key Points

TSA employees will miss their first full paycheck this week as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown enters its fourth week, having received only 30% of their pay two weeks ago.
Over 300 TSA employees have quit their jobs due to the financial strain, raising concerns about airport staffing and longer security lines for travelers.
TSA union official Johnny Jones says some workers are donating blood plasma, driving for food delivery services, or sleeping in their cars to save on fuel costs to survive without pay.
Major airports in Denver, Seattle, and Atlanta are calling for public donations of grocery and gas gift cards to support TSA employees working without pay.
Lawmakers from both parties are considering reallocating over $190 billion in DHS funds to keep TSA employees paid, while political blame continues over the shutdown.

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Here's a situation that's about as fun as taking your shoes off at airport security: Transportation Security Administration employees are about to miss their first paycheck. The reason? A partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security that's been dragging on for nearly a month now.

Think about that for a second. These are the people who keep our airports secure, who patiently (mostly) remind us about the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, and who endure thousands of "just a belt" explanations every day. And now they're showing up to work knowing the paycheck isn't coming.

Two weeks ago, they got 30% of what they're owed. This week? According to TSA Union Secretary-Treasurer Johnny Jones, they're getting "a big fat 0."

The Human Cost of Political Gridlock

When politicians can't agree on funding, real people pay the price—literally. Jones outlined just how bad it's getting in a video shared by the White House's Rapid Response team. "Some of my colleagues are donating blood plasma," he said. Others are driving for food delivery services on their off hours. Some are even sleeping in their cars to save on fuel costs.

It's not just personal hardship either. The report says over 300 TSA employees have already quit their jobs. That's 300 fewer people screening passengers, which means longer lines and more frustration for travelers. The shutdown started after Democratic lawmakers clashed with Republicans over DHS funding following multiple fatal shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Now both sides are dug in, and nobody seems to know when this ends.

Airports Step Up With Unusual Requests

Here's something you don't see every day: major airports asking the public for help supporting their own employees. Airports in Denver, Seattle, and Atlanta have taken to social media urging people to donate $10 and $20 grocery store and gas gift cards to TSA workers.

"Support the dedicated TSA employees working without pay," the Denver airport posted. It's a strange situation when airports have to crowdsource basic support for the people who keep their operations running.

The Political Finger-Pointing Continues

Meanwhile, the blame game is in full swing. California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the Trump administration and the TSA itself, sharing a post that claimed the "official TSA account is spending more time 'owning the Dems' than keeping you safe."

But there might be a flicker of hope. Lawmakers from both parties, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Democratic Whip Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), are reportedly open to moving over $190 billion in funds allocated to DHS's ICE and Customs and Border Protection to keep TSA employees paid during the shutdown.

Chaos Beyond the Checkpoint

The shutdown has created confusion beyond just paychecks. The DHS earlier announced it was shutting down the PreCheck and Global Entry programs, citing workforce issues, though it rolled back the PreCheck suspension after criticism from travelers and industry groups.

And in a separate but related development, Trump's former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was fired from her role following controversy over a $220 million government advertising campaign. Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) could replace her as the next DHS leader.

So here we are: TSA employees donating plasma to pay bills, airports begging for gift cards, political leaders trading barbs, and travelers facing longer lines. All because Washington can't agree on how to fund an agency that everyone agrees needs to exist. Sometimes the security checkpoint isn't the most stressful part of air travel—it's wondering if the person checking your ID can afford their next meal.