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TSA Pay Concerns Rise During DHS Shutdown as Austin Airport Stays Stable
Federal officials warn TSA pay could lapse as the DHS shutdown drags on, though Austin airport reports no disruptions.
Published April 29, 2026 at 7:04pm by Faith Bugenhagen
Officials at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are not reporting any operational issues despite lawmakers' inability to approve a budget deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
In mid-March, airport security lines at the Austin-based airport stretched outside the door, and long lines had already formed by 5 a.m. on many days.
The airport warned of “high passenger volume days” from March 13 through April 6, due to the partial DHS shutdown caused by an ongoing stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, both of which operate under DHS.
Despite lawmakers not yet reaching a funding deal since the partial shutdown took effect in mid-February, TSA agents and CBP officers — who arrived in Austin to assist with operations — are continuing to report to the airport, according to Samantha Rojas, a public information specialist with the airport.
Rojas said these officers and agents, as well as the airport system’s custodial team and maintenance crews, are working to facilitate the high passenger volume.
TSA agents' paychecks
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned last week that funds to pay TSA agents would run out if lawmakers fail to approve a budget deal to reopen DHS.
The weeks-long standoff left agents and other TSA staffers without pay, with more than 838 TSA officers quitting since mid-February or opting not to show up for work, leading to security lines at some airports exceeding four hours — the longest wait times in the agency’s history.
DHS employees received back pay for this time period after President Donald Trump directed the agency to use funds from his “One Big Beautiful Act” to pay officers and agency staffers.
Mullin told Fox & Friends last week that after the next paycheck, “there is no emergency fund.”
An early April memo also instructed DHS employees not to submit time cards for pending paychecks until they receive further instructions.