Congress·Introduced·S. 4127

Sen. Rosen Pushes Bill to Pay TSA Workers During Ongoing Government Shutdown

Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026

3 days ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill guarantees TSA employees continue receiving their regular paychecks, benefits, and allowances during the current government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. It covers everything from base pay to health insurance and pay differentials.
From policy text
“such sums as are necessary to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments otherwise payable on a regular basis to employees of the Transportation Security Administration”
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The funding is retroactive to February 13, 2026, meaning TSA workers would receive back pay for the weeks they've already worked without guaranteed compensation since the shutdown began.
From policy text
“This Act shall take effect as if enacted on February 13, 2026.”
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This is a temporary fix, not a permanent budget. The funding runs out when Congress passes a regular appropriations bill, a continuing resolution, or at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026 — whichever comes first.
From policy text
“Appropriations and funds made available and authority granted under section 2 shall be available until whichever of the following first occurs”
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The bill includes a safeguard against double-dipping: TSA employees can't receive pay from both this bill and another funding source for the same period. If they're already being paid through other means, this money can't be used on top of that.
From policy text
“Amounts provided under subsection (a) may not be used to provide pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, or other payments to an employee of the Transportation Security Administration for any portion of the period described in subsection (a) for which the employee is provided with such pay”
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Introduced by Sen. Rosen with five Democratic co-sponsors, the bill was placed on the Senate calendar after just one day, signaling urgency. However, as a minority-party bill during a shutdown, it faces significant hurdles to passage.

Labor EmploymentNational Security Foreign PolicyInfrastructure Transportation

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Mar 18, 2026Senate

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 362.

Mar 17, 2026Senate

Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Immediately upon enactment

TSA workers receive back pay retroactive to February 13, 2026

If enacted, TSA employees would be made whole for all the weeks they've already worked during the shutdown without guaranteed paychecks.

Related News

1 article

Al Jazeera·2 days ago

Why the US Homeland Security shutdown is raising fears of airport delays

Since February 14, the United States has been under a partial government shutdown, affecting the Department of Homeland Security. TSA workers have gone without pay, leading to resignations and long lines at airports as labor advocates call for pay guarantees like the TSA Pay Act.

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