TSA officers have worked without paychecks during five federal government shutdowns since the agency was created in 2001

The Transportation Security Administration has experienced five periods when officers worked without receiving paychecks. The longest was 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. The most recent shutdown lasted 34 days, from December 22, 2022, to January 23, 2023. Two earlier shutdowns in 2013 lasted 16 days each. A fifth shutdown in January 2018 lasted 3 days. During each of these periods, TSA officers were required to report to work and perform their duties—screening passengers, checking baggage, and monitoring security checkpoints—without pay.

When a shutdown occurs, Congress has not passed a budget or continuing resolution to fund the government. TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security, which is considered essential personnel during a shutdown, meaning officers must continue working. However, the paychecks that fund their salaries are not released. Officers do not know in advance how long a shutdown will last, so they cannot plan for the loss of income.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA officers have worked without pay during five federal shutdowns since 2001, with the longest lasting 35 days in 2018–2019.
  • Officers are classified as essential personnel and must continue working during shutdowns, even though their paychecks are delayed.
  • Back pay is typically issued after Congress passes a budget or continuing resolution and the shutdown ends, though the timing varies.
  • TSA officers can request hardship information, emergency loans, or payment deferrals from their banks during unpaid periods.
  • Some officers have reported financial strain, missed mortgage payments, and reliance on food banks during extended shutdowns.

What happens to TSA paychecks during a shutdown

When a shutdown begins, the Treasury Department stops releasing paychecks for all federal employees whose agencies lack appropriated funds. For TSA officers, this means their regular pay cycle is interrupted. If a shutdown starts mid-pay period, officers may receive a partial check for days worked before the shutdown, but receive nothing for days worked during the shutdown itself.

The officer's job does not change during a shutdown. They still arrive at the airport, pass through security, and work their assigned shifts. The difference is that the government is not paying them. Officers cannot call in sick or take unpaid leave as a workaround—they are required to report to work. Some officers have reported using vacation days or personal leave to avoid working unpaid, but this option is limited and not available to all.

When back pay is issued and how long it takes

Back pay is issued after Congress passes a budget or continuing resolution that funds the government again. The process is not automatic. Once funding is restored, the Treasury Department and the Office of Personnel Management must process the payments, which can take one to two weeks. Officers do not receive their paychecks on the next regular pay date; there is a lag while the government calculates what is owed and processes the deposits.

During the 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019, TSA officers received their back pay approximately two weeks after the shutdown ended. During the 34-day shutdown in 2022–2023, the timeline was similar. The exact timing depends on when Congress votes to end the shutdown, how quickly the President signs the bill, and how quickly the Treasury Department can process millions of paychecks across the federal government.

Financial hardship programs available to TSA officers during unpaid periods

Federal employees, including TSA officers, can request emergency information during a shutdown. The Office of Personnel Management maintains a list of hardship resources, including emergency loans and grants from employee information programs. Some federal employee unions, including the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the American Federation of Government Employees, have negotiated emergency loan programs specifically for their members during shutdowns.

Many banks and credit unions offer emergency loans or payment deferrals to federal employees during shutdowns. Officers can contact their bank or credit union to ask about options. Some institutions waive fees or offer reduced interest rates during government shutdowns. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program also allows officers to defer health insurance premium payments until after back pay is received.

TSA officers can also seek information from local food banks, utility information programs, and nonprofit organizations that help federal employees. These resources are not automatic—officers must contact them directly—but they exist in most communities.

How shutdowns affect TSA staffing and airport security

During shutdowns, some TSA officers have called in sick or taken leave rather than work without pay, which reduces the number of officers available at checkpoints. This can lead to longer security lines and delayed passenger screening. The 2018–2019 shutdown saw reports of increased call-outs at major airports, which slowed screening times. However, TSA leadership has stated that the agency maintains minimum staffing levels to keep airports operating safely.

Shutdowns also delay hiring, training, and equipment maintenance. New officers cannot be brought on board during a shutdown, and existing officers cannot attend required training. This creates a backlog that extends beyond the shutdown itself.

Congress and proposals to prevent TSA officer pay loss

After the 2018–2019 shutdown, some members of Congress introduced bills to may support that TSA officers and other essential federal employees receive paychecks during shutdowns, even if the rest of the government is not funded. These bills have not passed. The most recent proposal was the "Pay Our TSA Act," introduced in 2023, which would require the government to pay TSA officers during shutdowns. As of now, no such law exists, and TSA officers remain vulnerable to unpaid work periods if future shutdowns occur.

The debate centers on whether essential employees should be treated differently from other federal workers during shutdowns. Some argue that officers who must work should be paid. Others argue that paying some employees but not others would complicate the shutdown process. No consensus has emerged in Congress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do TSA officers get paid back for the days they worked unpaid during a shutdown?

Yes. Once Congress passes a budget and the shutdown ends, TSA officers receive back pay for all days worked during the shutdown. The payment is typically issued one to two weeks after the shutdown ends, once the Treasury Department processes the paychecks.

Can TSA officers refuse to work during a shutdown?

No. TSA is classified as essential personnel, which means officers are required to report to work during a shutdown. Refusing to work can result in disciplinary action or termination. Officers have no legal option to stay home unpaid.

What is the longest TSA officers have gone without pay?

The longest shutdown was 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. During this period, TSA officers worked without paychecks for over a month before receiving back pay.

Are TSA officers the only federal employees who work unpaid during shutdowns?

No. All federal employees classified as essential—including border patrol agents, federal prison officers, and some Department of Defense employees—work without pay during shutdowns. However, TSA officers are among the most visible because they work in public-facing roles at airports.

Has Congress passed a law to prevent TSA officers from working unpaid?

No law currently requires the government to pay TSA officers during shutdowns. Bills have been introduced, but none have passed. TSA officers remain subject to unpaid work periods if future shutdowns occur.