For airline travelers, the shutdown answer is simple: Pay TSA officers - AP News
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Paying TSA officers during shutdowns is the solution to keep airport security functioning during federal budget lapses.
How This Affects You
Federal shutdowns could cause longer TSA screening lines at airports, potentially delaying your flights and disrupting travel plans.
AI Summary
Airline travelers are being urged to address a federal government shutdown by paying TSA officers directly, according to a proposal aimed at maintaining airport security screening during the funding lapse. The suggestion reflects frustration over the shutdown's impact on Transportation Security Administration workers, who continue operating checkpoints without pay. Paying TSA officers would sidestep the normal appropriations process and allow airports to keep security lines functioning while Congress remains deadlocked on funding legislation. The proposal highlights the practical crisis facing travelers and airports as a shutdown disrupts essential government operations. This workaround underscores the real-world strain on federal workers and the traveling public when Congress fails to pass budget measures.
Source Coverage Map
17 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Trump says he will order federal immigration officers to help with airport security unless Democrats end shutdown
Trump threatens to deploy ICE to airports as TSA shortages drive delays - The Washington Post
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyOver a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown
Travelers continue to face long lines at airports with no end to the partial government shutdown in sight. Atlanta was one of three major U.S. airports on Tuesday where more than one-third of TSA officers called out of work. In Philadelphia, flyers found three of six TSA checkpoints closed on Wednesday. Skyler Henry reports.
Government TransparencyWhere will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQS3FIUnl0enJhYUNVNDBoVUVjWDV5MVlpTzBzR1NGeFpmdjBXX2tGbDZzcjZlcVRkaHh0NGxjZVlkcThiUkpsTm9Vd25rVDlzcE1xUmhTalViVGNaQldjUjR2TnFBUGpKSnVYemNKdUJKTzg5RzdjMThIQU5HVTVwcUJGdXlDc1RYSzhqX3BCSVRTbGZkdjlTTkpkeG93NDZ2Znc?oc=5" target="_blank">Where will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsCEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxOSkktbm1wOFdYT0Y0TmtYVkhwVkt4QW5leWtvdWpJU0NQNmdhaUF0SkpyclRkT2gtWW5NMU1KbFBmMWlaSXY4dDZ5bjVZaGtPamtVejU1OGV0cnVyTUFKMVdmTVp4UzE0M2pTbHdiZDl5SHBSQkdQekFYSWREcnA1M21YQmZGa1JBdzdMZU9UTUJiQXIxZTQ5YnZGWHFNSTFYTnRBdUNTaGJiUkU?oc=5" target="_blank">CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
FinanceJet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNdUpPY1lqQnFiXzJMRnFnbGxtQmlkWVItUUVoYVZ3TkRuOVZ6QjRmX1Zjc09UX1BCdTlWeWZISnVucmd3YjZkTUgzN2taUmFJaEUtdFVaMEZIU1pCdHNlRUNZY3pSMGZKazIwX1RFYnMxNS1rc3VnVy1pMk1MM3ZyU2RjQXAxRDUwcFNoSw?oc=5" target="_blank">Jet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyTravelers face Friday rush and unpredictable airport wait times as TSA officers go unpaid - CNN
Government TransparencyWATCH: TSA says nearly 10% of its officers called out sick Tuesday
The TSA is warning some small airports might need to shut down due to staffing shortages because of the partial government shutdown.
IRS glitch masked $51m in political donations, finance watchdog says
<p>Exclusive: Error in second half of 2025 came after IRS saw over a quarter of its workforce reduced after huge cuts by Doge</p><p>A technical glitch at the understaffed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is masking millions of dollars in campaign contributions to state-level election groups, including key governor and attorney general races, a campaign finance watchdog has told the Guardian.</p><p>A total of $51m for the second half of 2025 remains unaccounted for due to this technical error, according to the <a href="https://www.politicalaccountability.net/">Center for Political Accountability</a> (CPA), a non-profit that tracks corporate spending.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/irs-error-political-donations">Continue reading...</a>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo
Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com
TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say
Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit
White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive
