Airline CEOs ask Congress for TSA agents to be paid during shutdown

A group of 10 airline CEOs sent a Sunday letter to lawmakers urging them to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during the government shutdown. The letter outlined an urgent need for TSA officers, U.S. customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers to be paid during shutdowns as travel expectations for the summer season ramp up. TSA workers missed their first full paycheck last week as a result of the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Air traffic controllers are currently being paid, as they fall under the Department of Transportation. “With spring break travel in full swing, FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are especially high. U.S. airlines expect 171 million passengers this spring season, a new record,” the airline CEOs wrote. “But too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints. Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported. Airlines are doing everything we can to mitigate disruption by holding flights for late passengers and rebooking others. It’s past time for the government to make sure that TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers are paid for the job they do,” they added. The partial government shutdown has impacted operations at DHS and subagencies, as Democrats refuse to fund the department over a lack of reforms to immigration enforcement measures. Legislation to fund the department has failed four times since Feb. 12. CEOs from FedEx, UPS, Southwest, United, American, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska Air, Atlas Air and Airlines for America signed on to the letter. Collectively, they lobbied for lawmakers to pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would guarantee the employees in question are paid regardless of the government’s funding status. They also pushed for the passage of the Keep America Flying Act, which would provide pay security to TSA officers. “Americans—who live in your districts and home states—are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown. Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the airline CEOs wrote. “This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals,” they added.