Senate Democrats have been criticized for leaving Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and other federal employees without full paychecks while traveling home themselves, according to a statement released on March 13. The statement highlights that after voting against providing resources for homeland security operations and personnel, Senate Democrats are departing Washington, D.C., as many Americans face travel disruptions and missed flights.
The issue is significant because more than 85,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel nationwide are working without pay, with the number increasing when furloughed workers are included. The impact is particularly acute in states such as New York, Illinois, Virginia, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Nevada. According to the release, thousands of TSA officers in these states have not received their paychecks despite continuing to work.
The statement details several consequences of the shutdown: over 300 TSA agents have quit during this period on top of the 1,000 who left during last year’s shutdown; some officers are sleeping in their cars to save money; call-out rates at airports have increased into double digits; and major airports are requesting donations for affected workers. One TSA officer reportedly resigned after nine years due to financial hardship caused by the shutdown.
Chairman Tom Cole said, “Not one Senate Democrat who voted to deny paychecks for others has missed their own. Meanwhile, TSA officers are sleeping in airport parking lots because they can’t afford the gas to drive home, maxing out credit cards, and taking second jobs just to feed their families. I am tired of politicians making a political point at the expense of the men and women who show up every single day to do their jobs and keep Americans safe. For a party that once resoundingly lectured against the dangers of a government shutdown, their current posture is as hypocritical as it is irresponsible. Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have hijacked appropriations and shutdowns as their catchall for political leverage. That may serve their campaign strategies and election headlines, but it does nothing to safeguard the nation or support the personnel who carry out these missions every day.”
According to the official website, notable personnel include Republican members such as Harold Rogers and Democratic members like Steny Hoyer on the House Committee on Appropriations. The committee provides guidance for community project funding requests included in appropriations bills according to its official website. It also handles drafting of twelve annual spending bills that allocate federal funds for government operations according to its official website.
Tom Cole has served as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations according to its official website, marking him as the 43rd person in this role according to its official website. The committee influences policy through passing funding legislation such as the Continuing Appropriations Act according to its official website.
Republicans say they have consistently voted to keep government open by passing full-year funding bills with bipartisan support in both chambers. They argue that if Senate Democrats supported previously agreed frameworks for funding DHS operations—including non-law-enforcement personnel—the current shutdown would end and affected employees would be paid.
