The TSA has no permanent funding—it depends on annual congressional appropriations that sometimes run out

The Transportation Security Administration does not have a may provide budget that lasts year to year. Instead, Congress must pass a new spending bill each fiscal year (which runs October 1 through September 30) to keep the TSA operating. When Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution before the fiscal year ends, the TSA enters a government shutdown and stops receiving paychecks for its workforce.

This is not a problem unique to the TSA—it affects most federal agencies. The difference is that TSA employees are considered essential personnel, so they continue working without pay during a shutdown. Airport screening does not stop, but screeners, officers, and administrative staff work without knowing when their next paycheck will arrive.

The most recent shutdown lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Before that, shutdowns occurred in 2013 (16 days), 2011 (a few hours), and 2010 (a few hours). Each time, TSA staff continued screening passengers while unpaid.

Key Takeaways

  • The TSA receives its budget through annual congressional appropriations bills, not a permanent funding mechanism, so shutdowns occur when Congress does not pass a budget before the fiscal year ends.
  • During a shutdown, TSA officers and screeners continue working but do not receive paychecks until Congress passes a new spending bill and the President signs it.
  • The longest recent shutdown was 35 days in late 2018 and early 2019, during which thousands of TSA employees worked without pay.
  • Airport security operations continue during shutdowns because TSA staff are classified as essential personnel, but staffing levels and morale can be affected.

How a Government Shutdown affects TSA operations

When a shutdown begins, the TSA does not close airports or stop screening passengers. Instead, the agency operates on what is called "emergency authority"—a legal framework that allows essential functions to continue even without appropriated funds. Screeners still staff checkpoints, officers still patrol terminals, and baggage still gets scanned.

What changes is the workforce's financial situation. TSA employees do not receive paychecks during the shutdown. Some employees are furloughed (sent home without pay), while others—including all airport screeners—are required to work. This creates a situation where thousands of people are working full shifts without knowing when they will be paid or for how long the shutdown will last.

The 2018–2019 shutdown revealed secondary effects: some screeners called in sick at higher rates, security lines grew longer at major airports, and overtime costs increased because the agency had to maintain staffing levels with fewer people willing to work unpaid shifts. However, no major security breaches or widespread airport closures occurred.

Why the TSA does not have permanent funding

Congress could pass a permanent appropriation for the TSA, but it has not chosen to do so. Instead, the TSA is funded through annual appropriations bills that Congress must pass each year. This is the standard practice for most federal agencies, but it creates a vulnerability: if Congress cannot agree on a budget, the agency stops receiving money.

The reason Congress uses annual appropriations is partly oversight—it forces agencies to justify their budgets every year and gives Congress leverage to demand changes. However, this system also means that political disagreements over unrelated issues (such as border wall funding in 2018) can shut down the TSA even though there is no dispute about airport security itself.

Some members of Congress have proposed permanent or multi-year funding for TSA, arguing that airport security should not be held hostage to annual budget negotiations. These proposals have not passed, so the current system remains in place.

What happened during the longest recent shutdown

The December 2018 to January 2019 shutdown lasted 35 days and became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. It began because Congress and the President disagreed over funding for a border wall, and the dispute had nothing to do with the TSA's budget or mission.

During those 35 days, approximately 51,000 TSA employees worked without paychecks. Screeners continued staffing checkpoints at every commercial airport in the country. The shutdown ended on January 25, 2019, when Congress passed a spending bill and the President signed it. TSA employees then received back pay for the time they had worked unpaid.

News reports during the shutdown documented screeners working double shifts, taking second jobs, and using food banks to feed their families. Some airports reported longer security lines and higher rates of screener absences, though no major security incidents occurred. The shutdown demonstrated both the resilience of TSA staff and the financial hardship that unpaid work creates for federal employees.

How shutdowns end and employees get paid

A government shutdown ends when Congress passes a new spending bill (called an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution) and the President signs it. Once signed, the bill becomes law and the TSA receives authority to spend money again. Employees who worked during the shutdown then receive back pay for all the time they worked unpaid.

The back pay is not automatic—Congress must pass a separate bill to authorize it. However, in recent shutdowns, Congress has consistently passed back pay legislation, so TSA employees have received full compensation for unpaid work. The delay between the end of the shutdown and the receipt of back pay varies, but employees typically receive their paychecks within a few weeks.

During the shutdown itself, some employees can draw on unemployment insurance or other emergency information, but these programs do not fully replace a paycheck. Federal employee unions and advocacy groups have pushed for legislation that would prevent shutdowns from affecting essential personnel, but no such law has passed.

Frequency and patterns of TSA funding gaps

Government shutdowns have become more common in recent decades. From 1976 to 1990, shutdowns were rare and usually lasted only a few hours or days. Since 2010, shutdowns have occurred more frequently and lasted longer. The pattern suggests that political disagreements over unrelated issues are increasingly likely to trigger a shutdown.

The TSA has experienced funding gaps in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018–2019, and 2023. Not all of these were full shutdowns—some were brief lapses of a few hours while Congress negotiated. The 2023 shutdown lasted one day. The 2018–2019 shutdown was the longest and most disruptive to TSA operations and employee finances.

There is no way to predict when the next shutdown will occur, because it depends on whether Congress can reach agreement on a budget. The TSA itself has no control over this process and cannot prevent a shutdown from happening.

What travelers should know about TSA funding and shutdowns

If you are planning to travel during a period when a shutdown is possible or ongoing, you should expect that security lines may be longer than usual and that some airport services may be reduced. However, airport screening will continue—the TSA will not close checkpoints or stop processing passengers.

If a shutdown does occur, check the TSA's official website or social media accounts for updates on wait times and staffing levels at your airport. Some airports publish real-time security line wait times, which can help you plan when to arrive. Arriving earlier than usual is a reasonable precaution during a shutdown.

You should also be aware that if you work for the TSA or another federal agency, a shutdown will affect your paycheck. If you are in this situation, look into whether your agency has guidance on emergency information, unemployment insurance, or other support during a shutdown. Some states and organizations offer emergency loans or grants to federal employees during shutdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the TSA close during a government shutdown?

No. The TSA continues screening passengers at all airports during a shutdown because screeners are classified as essential personnel. However, some administrative functions may be reduced, and wait times may increase if staffing levels drop due to absences.

Do TSA employees get paid during a shutdown?

No, TSA employees do not receive paychecks during a shutdown, even though most continue working. They receive back pay after Congress passes a new spending bill and the President signs it, but the delay can be weeks or months.

How long do government shutdowns usually last?

Recent shutdowns have lasted anywhere from a few hours to 35 days. The length depends on how long it takes Congress and the President to reach agreement on a spending bill. There is no set timeline.

Can I still fly during a TSA shutdown?

Yes. Airports remain open and the TSA continues screening passengers. You may experience longer wait times, so arriving earlier than usual is a good idea.

Why does Congress not give the TSA permanent funding?

Congress uses annual appropriations for most federal agencies as a way to maintain oversight and control over spending. Permanent funding would remove this annual review process. Some members of Congress have proposed permanent TSA funding, but these proposals have not passed into law.