TSA workers pushed to the brink as DHS shutdown forces some to get 2nd jobs
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TSA workers are seeking second jobs due to the DHS shutdown, working without pay.
How This Affects You
Airport security may be compromised by financially strained TSA workers, potentially leading to longer wait times and security risks.
AI Summary
Transportation Security Administration workers are being pushed to the brink, with some forced to seek second jobs, due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. This situation stems from the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which leaves these federal employees working without pay. The immediate consequence is financial hardship for TSA workers, who are concerned about the long-term effects of their unpaid labor. This directly impacts the federal workforce responsible for airport security nationwide.
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Airport delays tied to the partial government shutdown aren't going away, and may be getting worse. Several major airports are seeing long security lines, flight delays and growing frustration among travelers. Some TSA workers are calling out sick, taking other jobs, or simply quitting because of financial hardship. William Brangham discussed more with Allison Pohle of The Wall Street Journal.
PoliticsStorms cancel more US flights as TSA remains under pressure from partial government shutdown - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxNaTJUZ2c1b212a21qMW1reW5XUjVBOVVTcjJ5VS04RG9kMVZSTnBSRVV6X1dTbzRiVXYzM1lFbFF0amJCWXlxSHVTbXN6cmpJWjdEZlh1NzhqTVVFTGZwU292T3BNV240eW5XTzdBZVRvZndObGhXUDFNUFRCYXBlSUhwNjJ0aXJGUXkxQUR6UkRsVWprN3h6YnZ1RVVvWmhydElqR0NwbXk?oc=5" target="_blank">Storms cancel more US flights as TSA remains under pressure from partial government shutdown</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
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<p>House Democrats are launching a Hail Mary push to effectively end the Department of Homeland Security's <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/03/11/dhs-shutdown-funding-deal-katie-britt-alabama" target="_blank">now month-long shutdown</a> by funding all of its sub-agencies except ICE and Customs and Border Protection.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Democrats are feeling the heat as <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/12/tsa-dhs-shutdown-airports-donations" target="_blank">federal workers miss paychecks</a> and DHS <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/03/17/spring-break-under-siege-democrats-reckless-dhs-shutdown-forcing-tsa-officers-work" target="_blank">warns of airport closures</a>. They hope their planned discharge petition will, at the very least, deflect blame onto Republicans.</p><hr><ul><li>Many lawmakers also question whether keeping the agency shut down is meaningfully incentivizing the White House to negotiate in good faith on immigration enf...
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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 TransparencyTSA official: Airport security problem ‘going to get worse before it gets better’
A senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official warned Thursday that the growing backlog at airport security checkpoints nationwide is likely “going to get worse before it gets better” as staffing becomes more strained as a result of the lingering Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told NewsNation host Blake…
Government TransparencyWhere will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows - AP News
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