DHS shutdown leaves 61,000 TSA workers unpaid as senators warn of major economic damage
Mar 2nd 2026
Partial DHS funding has entered its third week, forcing thousands of TSA workers to work without pay and prompting urgent warnings from senators about growing risks to air travel and the wider economy.
- DHS funding lapsed on February 14 after a stalemate over immigration enforcement reforms, leaving TSA pay uncovered.
- About 61,000 TSA officers are working without full pay while ICE and CBP remain funded through last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- Senators from both parties warn a prolonged shutdown could disrupt air travel, tourism and local tax bases and cause large economic ripple effects.
- Lawmakers are considering shifting DHS funds or separating TSA funding to cover pay, but no bipartisan deal has been reached