As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown continues, lawmakers have again introduced bills to guarantee pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees — and, in some versions, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel — during future funding lapses, but the proposals have repeatedly stalled in Congress, according to Federal News Network.
- What’s happening: Multiple bills aimed at ensuring TSA and/or FAA workers receive pay during shutdowns have been introduced in Congress but have not advanced to enactment, Federal News Network (FNN) reported in March 2026.
- Who’s affected: The measures focus on frontline aviation and security workforces that can be required to keep working during a lapse in appropriations.
- Current shutdown action: President Donald Trump signed an emergency order directing DHS to pay TSA agents immediately during the ongoing lapse in appropriations, FNN reported.
- Why bills keep coming back: Lawmakers have repeatedly pursued shutdown-pay fixes for specific workforces, but the efforts have not consistently cleared both chambers or reached the president’s desk, according to FNN’s reporting.
- Bottom line: The emergency order addresses near-term pay for TSA during the current shutdown, while the bills would create a standing rule for future shutdowns — but Congress has not yet delivered that permanent fix.
The renewed push comes as the DHS shutdown drags on and pressure mounts over the operational and personal impacts on employees who are required to work or are furloughed. FNN reported that lawmakers have framed the proposals as a way to prevent recurring disruptions for aviation security and safety personnel during funding gaps.
For federal employees and service members who travel for duty, the issue is also tied to continuity of airport screening and airspace operations. But the legislative focus in the current round is employee pay protection — ensuring workers aren’t forced to wait for back pay after the fact.
What it means for you:
- If you’re TSA: FNN reports the president’s emergency order directs DHS to begin paying TSA agents during the current lapse, but employees should watch for agency guidance on timing, pay mechanics, and whether any limitations apply.
- If you’re FAA or other federal employees: The bills discussed would not automatically change your pay status unless enacted and written to cover your job category. Historically, shutdown pay outcomes depend on appropriations law and back-pay statutes, not agency preference.
- If you’re planning travel for work: Pay protections don’t directly resolve staffing strain, but they can reduce attrition and absenteeism pressures that often build during prolonged shutdowns.
Source: Federal News Network, “Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in Congress” (March 2026): https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2026/03/bills-to-pay-faa-and-tsa-workers-during-shutdowns-get-introduced-but-keep-stalling-in-congress/