During the previous Democrat shutdown, TSA agents were forced to:
– Sleep in their cars at airports
– Sell their blood and plasma
– Take on second jobsTSA agents are once again working without pay because Democrats want to protect illegal alien criminals. pic.twitter.com/x8PtME8SAk
— Lance Gooden (@Lancegooden) February 15, 2026
A partial U.S. government shutdown began Saturday – the third during President Donald Trump’s second term – after immigration negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats collapsed.
The funding lapse affects agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, requiring most employees to continue working without pay while others are furloughed.
Democrats had pushed for limits on federal immigration enforcement in exchange for supporting the funding bill. Among their demands were requiring agents to remove masks, wear body cameras and obtain judicial warrants before entering private property, according to The Associated Press. They also sought to prohibit detaining individuals without first confirming they are not U.S. citizens and to end searches based on race, language, accent or occupation.
Lawmakers left Washington for a 10-day recess without reaching a deal.
Many TSA employees work paycheck to paycheck, and these shutdowns make it challenging for them to pay their bills.
Ray Scott from Webster travels often for work. During shutdowns like this one, Scott carries cards to give to TSA employees as a thank you for working.
“I always make it a point that anyone I’ve run it through the TSA to thank them. And I started actually carrying cards to say thank you for, you know, for working through,” Webster said.
It only takes a few unscheduled absences of TSA workers to cause a backup at a smaller airport.
The partial government shutdown is adding a new layer to travel troubles.
“It’s another thing that is just the uncertainty of air travel. You know, you have weather issues. You have airline issues from time to time that you get whether or not the government’s going to fund the critical aspect of air travel, which is security,” Aviation Advisor Tom Kinton said.
https://www.wmur.com/article/partial-government-shutdown-impacts-tsa-employees/70363019