Congress left Washington for the Easter recess without reconciling competing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding measures, extending a partial shutdown at DHS. Even as the broader funding lapse continues, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are expected to see paychecks resume soon under a Senate-backed approach, according to FedSmith.
- Status: DHS funding lapsed after the House and Senate passed different DHS funding measures and did not finalize a single package before leaving for recess, prolonging a partial shutdown. (FedSmith)
- What’s moving: A Senate deal described by FedSmith could allow TSA paychecks to resume despite the unresolved DHS appropriations impasse. (FedSmith)
- Who’s affected: The lapse primarily impacts DHS components tied to the unfunded accounts; employees may face furloughs or unpaid work depending on whether their roles are deemed excepted under shutdown rules. (FedSmith)
- TSA pay: FedSmith reports TSA employees are expected to resume receiving pay, even while DHS funding remains unsettled.
- Timing: Lawmakers departed for the Easter recess without a final DHS agreement; pay timing depends on when legislative language is enacted and how agencies implement it. (FedSmith)
The latest impasse stems from the House and Senate advancing different approaches to DHS appropriations and failing to resolve the gap before leaving town. That leaves DHS operating under shutdown procedures for affected functions until Congress and the White House enact a funding fix.
FedSmith’s reporting indicates TSA pay is on track to restart under a Senate-linked solution, separating (at least temporarily) TSA payroll from the broader DHS funding fight. TSA employees have been among the most visible frontline workers during past shutdowns because screening operations continue while many employees work without immediate pay until back pay is authorized or funding is restored.
For federal employees and service members who rely on DHS services, the practical impact will vary by component and program. Some offices may curtail non-excepted activities, delay administrative processing, or reduce public-facing services until appropriations are restored. Employees should follow agency shutdown guidance and supervisor direction on reporting requirements, timekeeping, and pay status.
For TSA employees specifically, FedSmith’s account suggests pay disruption may ease sooner than for other DHS elements. Workers should monitor official TSA/DHS notices for payroll implementation details and any instructions on time and attendance corrections once pay resumes. For general shutdown rules and how “excepted” status affects reporting and pay, see FedBrief’s shutdown explainer: https://fedbrief.org/ (shutdown policy coverage).
Source: FedSmith, “Senate Deal Could Mean Paychecks Resume Soon for TSA Employees,” March 28, 2026: https://www.fedsmith.com/2026/03/28/senate-deal-could-mean-paychecks-resume-soon-for-tsa-employees/