Story perspectives

TSA Workers Without Pay Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

During the ongoing partial government shutdown, about 61,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are working without pay due to a funding stalemate in Congress.
Funding comes from passenger security fees, which have been diverted to reduce the federal deficit since 2013.
In the 2023 fiscal year, about $1.6 billion of the $4.6 billion collected was redirected, leaving TSA underfunded and prompting opposition to salary use proposals.

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Story summary

During the ongoing partial government shutdown, about 61,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are working without pay due to a funding stalemate in Congress.
Funding comes from passenger security fees, which have been diverted to reduce the federal deficit since 2013.
In the 2023 fiscal year, about $1.6 billion of the $4.6 billion collected was redirected, leaving TSA underfunded and prompting opposition to salary use proposals.