Right now, thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees are going to work without pay. These people are keeping our skies safe at the expense of their own financial security. As the shutdown continues, many TSA and FAA employees are starting to call out sick. As more weeks go on without pay, whole swathes of TSA and FAA employees may be forced to look for other work - shuttering airports across America and tanking the economy. Tell Congress to act now to end the shutdown.

Fifty-one thousand TSA officers and 10,000 FAA air traffic controllers have been told they are essential staff, and must report to work without pay during the government shutdown. These agencies fall under the Department of Homeland Security. This agency is receiving zero funds during the shutdown, putting the livelihoods of these essential employees in peril. Atlanta, Houston, and Washington airports have all been forced to close security lines. Miami International Airport has even had to close an entire terminal.

While Congress just approved back pay for these federal workers, this won’t help workers get paid today. These workers need to get paid for the work they are doing - now. If the shutdown keeps going, fewer TSA and FAA employees may show up to work. Air travelers can expect longer security lines and flight delays due to air traffic control backlogging. The shutdown is also impacting FAA airplane inspections. The U.S. has some of the safest skies in the world. Tell Congress to keep air travel safe - end the shutdown now.

TSA agents are paid as little as $24,000 - $28,000 a year. These officers live paycheck to paycheck. TSA families shouldn’t have to choose between bills and paying for food. Tell Congress to open the government now.