LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — TSA officers are facing new uncertainty as the Department of Homeland Security sent an urgent memo this week warning paychecks could stop after the current pay period.
The memo says pay will only resume once Congress reaches a deal to end the partial government shutdown. This comes 12 days after President Trump signed an executive order promising pay for TSA workers.
TSA officers at Harry Reid International Airport are still showing up for work despite growing uncertainty about their pay.
READ MORE: TSA workers at Harry Reid Airport face eviction notices amid government shutdown
Workers still awaiting back pay
A union representative said many workers still have not received their full back pay from the shutdown, even after last week’s executive order.
“This is an emotional roller coaster that nobody should have to endure,” said Keith White, an AFGE Local 1260 representative at Harry Reid International Airport.
Last week TSA officers received their first full paychecks since the partial government shutdown after the president’s executive order. But this week, workers shared a new memo from the Department of Homeland Security warning that after this pay period, paychecks could stop again until Congress reaches a deal.
“We’ve kept the airways safe for 25 straight years. Officers should be treated with a little more respect for everything we’ve done,” White said.
The memo thanks workers for continuing to show up even without pay. But the union says that expectation is unacceptable, as many families struggle to make ends meet.
“So far, nobody’s received their full back pay as of yet,” White said.
Privatization concerns
Workers also say they are worried about the future as some lawmakers discuss privatizing airport security and cutting TSA’s budget.
“We don’t see how privatizing would benefit security. Federal officers are highly trained for the job we do,” White said.
Congresswoman Dina Titus said she is vehemently opposed to privatization.
“The Trump budget would cut 9,400 TSA jobs in favor of private security companies, which pay less and do not have the same level of training,” Titus said.
Nationally, nearly 500 TSA workers have already left the agency.
“We just want a budget that funds us for the next five to seven years. We want our contract protected through 2031,” White said.
Congress remains on recess and is scheduled to return to Washington on April 13.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
