Acting Deputy Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Adam Stahl reported that some TSA agents are selling their blood plasma to afford basic expenses as the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding shutdown surpasses 38 days. Stahl made the remarks during a press briefing Tuesday at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.
Staff Shortages and Financial Hardship Among TSA Agents
Stahl described a worsening financial crisis for TSA personnel, noting that some employees are resorting to sleeping in their cars and having “blood drawn to afford gas” to travel to work. He highlighted the plight of a single mother with a special needs child who struggles to pay for childcare amid the shutdown.
The shutdown, which began February 14, has resulted in more than 400 TSA officers resigning and threatens to cause over 50,000 TSA workers to miss their second full paycheck by Friday if funding is not restored. Stahl warned that the staffing shortages will deepen, impacting airport security as travel volumes rise during spring break.
Political Stalemate Delays DHS Funding
The partial government shutdown persists due to stalled negotiations in Congress, with Democratic lawmakers withholding support for a full-year DHS funding bill pending reforms to immigration enforcement programs. Republicans have criticized this strategy, arguing it penalizes frontline DHS employees including TSA agents.
Representative Mark Alford (R-Mo.) called TSA agents “American heroes” and questioned whether lawmakers would remain on the job without pay. President Donald Trump also condemned Democrats, accusing them of using the shutdown to influence midterm elections.
During the previous 43-day government shutdown in late 2025, TSA agents were similarly required to work without pay.
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