TSA works without pay during partial U.S. government shutdown

TSA agents are among those working without pay during the latest partial government shutdown.

A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September. Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.

Republicans have refused to meet Democrats’ demands for federal officers to wear body cameras and clearly identify themselves during operations.

Related Story: No clear path to ending the partial government shutdown

Congress is on recess until Feb. 23, and both sides appear dug into their positions. The impasse affects agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

ICE and Customs and Border Patrol operations have been largely unaffected due to funding from President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax law.

About 90% of DHS employees were to continue working during the shutdown, but do so without pay – and missed paychecks could mean financial hardships. Last year there was a record 43-day government shutdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.