Thank a Transportation Security Officer Due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are once again working without pay—and showing up anyway. Transportation Security Officers don’t miss a shift. They don’t miss a holiday. They don’t miss a responsibility to the traveling public, even when the system uses their earned pay as a bargaining chip. We thank these dedicated professionals for their unwavering service and commitment to keeping America’s skies safe. Thank a Transportation Security Officer Why This Matters TSOs are essential to the safety, security and reliability of our nation’s travel system. Day after day, they protect millions of travelers and support the flow of commerce that powers the U.S. economy. Yet time and again, these essential workers have been used as pawns in political games, forced to shoulder financial uncertainty while continuing to serve the public. This must end. The Solution: Protect TSO Pay U.S. Travel urges Congress to act with urgency to ensure the Transportation Security Administration is fully funded to carry out its critical aviation security mission and pursue permanent solutions that guarantee pay for essential federal workers during funding lapses. The Keep America Flying Act (S. 3031/H.R. 5851) is a common sense, bipartisan proposal that would ensure that TSA officers and air traffic controllers receive pay during funding lapses and should be taken up immediately by Congress. Thank a Transportation Security Officer The Cost of Inaction With spring break travel around the corner, travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay. Funding lapses increase the risk of unscheduled absences and callouts which can result in longer wait times, missed connections and delayed flights. We commend all TSA employees, especially the frontline workforce, who continued to serve the traveling public during last year’s 43-day shutdown. Their professionalism and resilience underscore why a stable, fully funded travel security system is essential. The Bottom Line If you’re traveling today, take a moment to thank a Transportation Security Officer. They’ve earned it.
