TSA leadership is warning that the ongoing government shutdown is pushing some Transportation Security Administration employees into extreme measures—reportedly including selling blood plasma and sleeping in their cars—just to afford gas and keep reporting for duty, according to Fox News.
- Who is affected: TSA said roughly 50,000 TSA employees are working without pay during the lapse in appropriations, Fox News reported.
- What TSA is hearing from the field: TSA leadership cited reports of employees selling blood plasma and sleeping in cars to keep coming to work, according to Fox News.
- Why they’re still working: TSA screeners and many support staff are considered excepted employees and must continue working during a shutdown, even if pay is delayed until funding is restored.
- What the shutdown means for pay: During a shutdown, paychecks can be delayed for excepted employees; back pay typically requires congressional action. Fox News reported the situation as part of broader shutdown-related hardship among federal workers.
- Operational pressure point: TSA staffing is a key factor in airport security screening and passenger throughput; financial strain can increase absenteeism risk and complicate scheduling during peak travel periods.
The report underscores a recurring shutdown dynamic for federal workers in public-facing, mission-critical roles: many must keep reporting to duty while their household finances absorb the shock of missed pay. Unlike furloughed employees—who are told not to work—excepted employees can be required to work without immediate compensation during a funding lapse.
TSA’s comments, as described by Fox News, highlight how quickly a prolonged shutdown can cascade into day-to-day readiness problems for the federal workforce. For TSA employees, commuting costs can be unavoidable, especially for early shifts and locations with limited public transit options. For many federal households, even one missed paycheck can force difficult choices around rent, utilities, childcare, and transportation.
Federal employees tracking shutdown impacts on pay timing and potential back pay can reference general shutdown guidance and updates as they emerge. For broader context on shutdown rules and common misconceptions, see FedBrief’s shutdown policy explainer (https://fedbrief.org/).
Source: Fox News, “TSA warns shutdown is forcing some workers to draw blood to pay for gas” (Politics), https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tsa-warns-shutdown-forcing-some-workers-draw-blood-pay-gas