Congress funds the TSA through annual appropriations bills, not a permanent budget

The Transportation Security Administration receives its money the same way most federal agencies do: Congress votes each year on how much to spend. There is no standing law that automatically funds the TSA. Instead, lawmakers must pass a budget bill that includes a dollar amount for TSA operations, and the President must sign it. If Congress does not pass a budget before the fiscal year ends on September 30, the agency can operate under a temporary spending measure called a continuing resolution, but only at the previous year's funding level.

The TSA's budget covers airport screening, baggage handling, officer salaries, equipment like metal detectors and X-ray machines, and training. In recent years, Congress has funded the TSA at roughly $8 billion annually, though the exact amount changes each year depending on what lawmakers decide. The agency also collects fees — passengers pay a $5.85 security fee on each domestic flight, and airlines pay fees based on the number of passengers they carry. These fees go into a dedicated account that supplements the general appropriation.

When Congress fails to pass a budget on time, the TSA enters a shutdown period. During a shutdown, TSA officers still report to work but do not receive paychecks until funding is restored. This has happened multiple times, most notably in 2018 and 2019, when officers worked without pay for weeks while Congress debated spending priorities.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress must vote each year to fund the TSA; there is no automatic or permanent budget.
  • The TSA's annual budget covers officer salaries, screening equipment, training, and airport operations.
  • Passengers and airlines also pay security fees that supplement the congressional appropriation.
  • If Congress does not pass a budget by September 30, the TSA can operate under a continuing resolution at the previous year's funding level, but officers may not receive paychecks during a shutdown.
  • The exact funding amount varies year to year based on what lawmakers decide to allocate.

Where TSA money comes from in the federal budget

The TSA is part of the Department of Homeland Security, so its funding request goes through that agency's budget process. Each year, the TSA submits a budget proposal to DHS, which then includes it in the larger DHS request sent to Congress. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees review the request, hold hearings, and decide how much to fund.

The actual amount Congress approves often differs from what the TSA requested. In some years, lawmakers have funded the agency above its request if they wanted to hire more officers or upgrade screening technology. In other years, they have funded it below the request if they wanted to reduce spending overall. The final number is negotiated between the House and Senate and included in an omnibus appropriations bill or a standalone DHS funding bill.

This process happens every year, which means the TSA's budget is never may provide. Lawmakers can reduce funding, freeze hiring, or redirect money to other priorities. They can also increase funding if they decide airport security needs more resources.

How passenger and airline fees contribute to TSA operations

In addition to the congressional appropriation, the TSA collects money directly from travelers and airlines. Every passenger on a domestic flight pays a $5.85 security fee, which is added to the ticket price. This fee has been in place since 2002 and goes directly into a dedicated account for aviation security.

Airlines also pay fees based on the number of passengers they carry. These airline fees are calculated per enplanement — each time a passenger boards a flight — and the rate is set by Congress. The combination of passenger fees and airline fees generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually, which reduces the amount Congress must appropriate from general tax revenue.

These fees are separate from the congressional budget. Even if Congress cuts the TSA's appropriation, the fee revenue continues to flow in. However, Congress can change the fee amounts or the way they are collected, so the revenue is not entirely independent of legislative action.

What happens to TSA funding during government shutdowns

When Congress does not pass a budget or continuing resolution by the important date, the federal government enters a shutdown. During a shutdown, agencies like the TSA cannot spend money on most operations. However, the TSA is considered essential to national security, so officers continue to work even without appropriated funds.

This creates a difficult situation: TSA officers show up to screen passengers, but they do not receive paychecks until Congress restores funding. The shutdown of 2018 and 2019 lasted 35 days, and thousands of TSA officers worked without pay. Many officers called in sick, and wait times at airports increased because staffing was reduced.

The TSA can also use fee revenue to pay for some operations during a shutdown, but not for salaries. This means screening can continue with existing equipment and supplies, but officers work unpaid and the agency cannot hire new staff or purchase new equipment.

Recent congressional funding decisions and trends

In 2023 and 2024, Congress funded the TSA at higher levels than in previous years, reflecting concern about airport security and staffing shortages. Lawmakers increased funding to hire more officers and upgrade screening technology, particularly advanced imaging technology that can detect threats more quickly.

Congress has also debated whether to increase the passenger security fee, which has remained at $5.85 since 2011. Some lawmakers have proposed raising it to generate more revenue for airport security without increasing the general appropriation. Others have opposed an increase, arguing that it would raise costs for travelers.

The TSA has also received supplemental funding through other bills. For example, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 included money for airport improvements, some of which benefited TSA operations. These supplemental appropriations are separate from the annual budget and happen when Congress decides a specific need warrants extra funding.

How TSA funding affects airport security and wait times

The amount Congress funds the TSA directly affects how many officers work at each airport and how quickly passengers move through screening. When funding increases, the TSA can hire more officers and reduce wait times. When funding is tight, the agency must prioritize staffing at the busiest airports and may have longer lines at smaller ones.

Funding also determines what equipment airports can use. Advanced screening machines, baggage scanners, and automated systems all require money to purchase and maintain. If Congress does not fund equipment upgrades, airports continue using older technology that may be slower or less effective.

Staffing levels have been a particular concern in recent years. The TSA has struggled to hire and retain officers, partly because the job is demanding and the pay is lower than some other federal positions. Congress has increased funding for officer salaries and bonuses to address this, but the agency still faces recruitment challenges at some airports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the TSA get funded every year automatically?

No. Congress must vote each year to fund the TSA through an appropriations bill. If lawmakers do not pass a budget by September 30, the agency operates under a continuing resolution at the previous year's level, but officers may not receive paychecks during a shutdown.

Who decides how much money the TSA gets?

Congress decides. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees review the TSA's budget request, hold hearings, and vote on the amount. The final number is negotiated between the two chambers and included in a spending bill that the President signs.

Does the $5.85 security fee go directly to the TSA?

Yes. The passenger security fee goes into a dedicated account for aviation security and supplements the congressional appropriation. Airlines also pay fees based on passenger volume, and this revenue also goes to the TSA.

What happens to TSA officers if there is a government shutdown?

TSA officers continue to work during a shutdown because the agency is considered essential, but they do not receive paychecks until Congress restores funding. This happened during the 2018 and 2019 shutdowns, when officers worked without pay for weeks.

Can Congress reduce TSA funding?

Yes. Congress can increase, decrease, or freeze TSA funding each year. Lawmakers can also change the passenger security fee or the way it is collected. The TSA's budget is not permanent and depends on what Congress decides to allocate each fiscal year.