politics
March 13, 2026
US airports ask for donations for unpaid TSA staff amid partial government shutdown
TSA employees have been working in US airports without pay since the partial shutdown began in February
TL;DR
- Several US airports are collecting donations for TSA employees affected by the partial government shutdown.
- TSA employees have been working without pay since February due to a funding dispute.
- Airports have set up food pantries and requested community donations of grocery and gasoline gift cards.
- The lack of pay has led to some TSA workers calling out, resulting in longer security lines at airports like Miami International.
- Airports in Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Reno, Cleveland, Orlando, New York, and New Jersey are accepting donations.
- Donations are subject to federal regulations, with limits on cash and cash-equivalent gift cards ($20 or less).
- Las Vegas International Airport has reopened its food and essentials pantry for TSA employees, similar to its operation during a 2019 shutdown.
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport also opened a food pantry and began soliciting donations after public inquiries on how to help.
- Democrats are opposing funding for certain Department of Homeland Security agencies without immigration reform, while Republicans oppose smaller funding bills for specific agencies like the TSA.
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