TSA agents did not receive paychecks during the 2018–2019 government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history

From December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, the federal government shut down because Congress and the President could not agree on a budget. During that 35-day period, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had no funding, and its roughly 51,000 employees — screeners, officers, and administrative staff — did not get paid. The shutdown lasted longer than any previous one, and TSA workers were among the most visible federal employees affected.

TSA agents still reported to work during the shutdown. They screened passengers, checked bags, and operated security checkpoints at every commercial airport in the country, but they received no income. Some worked without pay for five weeks. The agency classified them as "essential personnel," meaning they had to show up even though funding had stopped.

This was not the first time TSA employees faced a shutdown without pay. Similar gaps occurred in 2013 and 2017, but the 2018–2019 shutdown was the longest and affected the most workers.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA agents worked without pay for 35 days during the December 2018 to January 2019 government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
  • Roughly 51,000 TSA employees were classified as essential personnel and required to work despite receiving no paychecks.
  • After the shutdown ended, TSA workers received back pay for all hours worked, though some faced financial hardship while waiting.
  • The shutdown raised questions about whether essential workers should be required to work without pay during budget disputes.
  • TSA has experienced multiple shutdowns since 2013, each one stopping paychecks for weeks at a time.

How the shutdown affected TSA workers' finances

TSA agents faced when ready financial pressure once paychecks stopped. Many lived paycheck to paycheck and could not cover rent, car payments, childcare, or medical bills without income. Some took out loans or relied on credit cards to survive the shutdown. Others requested unpaid leave or worked extra shifts at other jobs to make ends meet.

The shutdown also created uncertainty. Workers did not know how long it would last or when they would be paid. This uncertainty made it harder to plan or ask for help — many creditors and landlords wanted to know when payment would resume before offering relief.

After Congress passed a budget and the shutdown ended on January 25, 2019, TSA workers received back pay for all hours worked. However, the delay meant many had already incurred late fees, overdraft charges, or interest on borrowed money. Some filed for unemployment benefits during the shutdown, which added complexity to their finances once back pay arrived.

Why TSA agents had to work without pay

The federal government classified TSA as an essential agency. This meant that even without a budget, TSA had to keep operating to maintain airport security. Congress and the President both agreed that closing airports or stopping security screening was not an option, so TSA workers were required to report to work.

This created a legal and practical problem: workers had to show up, but the agency had no money to pay them. Federal law allows essential employees to work without pay during a shutdown, with the understanding that they will receive back pay once funding resumes. However, this puts workers in an impossible position — they must choose between not showing up (and risking their job) or working for free.

Some TSA workers called in sick or took unpaid leave during the shutdown to protest the situation or to seek other income. Absenteeism at some airports reached 10 percent or higher, which slowed security lines and created delays for passengers. This added pressure on the workers who did show up, as they had to handle higher volume with fewer staff.

The 2018–2019 shutdown compared to other budget gaps

The 2018–2019 shutdown was the longest, but it was not the first time TSA workers went without pay. A 16-day shutdown in October 2013 and a three-day shutdown in January 2017 also left TSA employees without paychecks. Each time, workers had to wait for back pay after the shutdown ended.

The 2018–2019 shutdown stood out because of its length and the number of workers affected. It also happened during winter, when heating bills and holiday debt made financial hardship more acute for many families. News coverage focused heavily on TSA screeners and other federal workers struggling to pay bills, which brought public attention to the issue.

After the 2018–2019 shutdown, Congress debated whether to change the law to prevent essential workers from working without pay in the future. Some proposals would have required the government to pay essential employees even during a shutdown, but no law passed. TSA workers remain at risk of unpaid work if another shutdown occurs.

What happened to TSA workers after they were paid

Once the shutdown ended and back pay was distributed, most TSA workers received their full wages for the time they worked. The pay came in a lump sum, which helped workers catch up on bills and pay off debt they had accumulated during the shutdown. However, some workers faced complications — those who had taken out loans or used credit cards at high interest rates had to pay those costs even after receiving back pay.

The shutdown also had longer-term effects on morale and retention. Some TSA workers left the agency after the shutdown, citing financial instability and the stress of working without pay. Others stayed but expressed frustration about the lack of job security and the possibility of another shutdown.

In the years after 2019, TSA faced ongoing recruitment and retention challenges. The agency struggled to hire and keep screeners, partly because of low pay compared to other federal jobs and the risk of future shutdowns. This staffing shortage has affected wait times at some airports during peak travel periods.

How government shutdowns affect other federal workers

TSA was not alone during the 2018–2019 shutdown. Roughly 800,000 federal employees across multiple agencies did not receive paychecks. This included workers at the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Park Service, and many others. Some were classified as essential and had to work; others were furloughed (sent home without pay).

Essential workers in other agencies faced the same dilemma as TSA: work without pay or risk losing their job. This included border patrol agents, federal prison guards, and air traffic controllers. Furloughed workers did not have to work, but they also did not know when they would be called back or paid.

The shutdown affected the public as well. National parks closed, passport processing slowed, and some federal loan programs stopped accepting applications. The ripple effects lasted weeks after the shutdown ended, as agencies worked through backlogs and rehired furloughed staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did TSA agents get paid after the shutdown ended?

Yes. Once Congress passed a budget and the shutdown ended on January 25, 2019, TSA workers received back pay for all hours worked during the shutdown. The back pay came in a lump sum, though some workers had to wait a few weeks for processing.

How long did TSA workers go without pay?

TSA workers went without paychecks for 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. This was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Could TSA agents refuse to work during the shutdown?

Legally, no. TSA was classified as essential, so workers were required to report to work. Refusing to work could result in job loss or disciplinary action. However, some workers took unpaid leave or called in sick, which was permitted.

Has this happened to TSA workers before?

Yes. TSA workers experienced shutdowns in 2013 (16 days) and 2017 (3 days) without pay. The 2018–2019 shutdown was the longest and affected the most workers.

What changed after the 2018–2019 shutdown?

Congress debated proposals to pay essential workers during shutdowns, but no law passed. TSA workers remain at risk of working without pay if another shutdown occurs. The shutdown did increase public awareness of the issue and led to discussions about federal employee pay and job security.