Nonprofits, unions and airports feed TSA officers as shutdown drags
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- TSA officers have been without full pay for over a month due to a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, leading nonprofits like World Central Kitchen and Feeding San Diego to provide meals and food boxes at airports.
- Ethics rules prevent TSA officers from accepting direct gifts, so nonprofits coordinate with airports and TSA offices to distribute aid, while unions can accept donations on behalf of officers.
- Over 120,000 DHS employees, including about 50,000 TSA officers, are working without pay amid stalled negotiations on immigration enforcement funding, causing financial hardships such as eviction notices and inability to pay bills.
- Airport communities and vendors are contributing food, discounts, and donations to support unpaid TSA staff, with some airports setting up pantries and
