Employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) received their third paycheck with no funds on Friday amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. President Trump announced late Thursday that he would sign an executive order aimed at “immediately paying TSA employees to address this emergency” and to “put an end to the Democratic disruption at our airports.” On the same day, the Senate pushed forward a new, last-minute agreement.
On Thursday afternoon, the TSA shared stories with Fox News Digital detailing personal challenges faced by officers at different airports due to the shutdown, keeping names confidential for privacy.
One officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shared that his dream of homeownership fell apart when his bank denied him a mortgage application because he couldn’t pay his rent. As a result, he is now traveling nearly 1,000 miles to live with family in New York.
Additionally, TSA agents at Tulsa International Airport faced an extreme setback when a house fire last week destroyed their home, belongings, car, and even a cherished pet. The family is attempting to rebuild their lives despite the uncertainty of when they will receive any pay.
Challenging Living Conditions
Another TSA employee, who had relocated to Albany International Airport in New York, is dealing with the grave consequence of a plummeting credit score, which fell from 800 to 500 due to the closures. Struggling, she moved into a camper, but recently lost power and can’t afford the repairs.
Severe Weather Impact
This month, strong storms and tornadoes damaged numerous homes in Michigan, leaving many TSA agents at Detroit Metropolitan Airport unable to afford repairs to their residences and vehicles due to the ongoing financial strain.
Healthcare Struggles
An officer at Portland International Airport, the primary caregiver for his mother—who has stage 3 colon cancer—and his younger brother—who suffered a severe leg infection and lost his job—now faces the burden of unpaid medical bills.
Financial Strain of Family Needs
At Bismarck Airport in North Dakota, a TSA officer who has been in her position for nearly a decade made the difficult choice to leave her job when she realized she couldn’t even buy Easter baskets for her children this year. This reflects a larger issue, as over 480 TSA employees have resigned since the onset of the government shutdown.
TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl mentioned this week to Fox News Digital, “The long-lasting consequences of this situation are unavoidable.” He stated, “What I can say is we are taking steps to ensure our employees will be compensated as quickly as possible.”
