TSA Workers Fight for Pay and Power as Airports Consider Private Screening

The House Committee on Homeland Security convened a hearing to address how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can keep pace with modern technology while ensuring secure funding. The discussion followed recent incidents in which TSA officers faced three unpaid periods since October 1, leaving them without wages for nearly 40 % of the fiscal year while still guarding airports.

Key Points from Chairman Andrew Garbarino

119 days of shutdown conditions between 2025 and 2026.
Argued that paying officers during such times is essential to maintain national safety.

Congressional Consensus

Both Republican and Democratic members agreed that Congress has not passed bills guaranteeing pay for TSA workers during shutdowns.

Representative Lou Correa’s Critique

President Trump’s budget would allow private companies to screen passengers at about 250 airports, cutting more than 4,500 TSA jobs to save $529 million.
The budget permits contractors in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) to buy and maintain screening equipment, a role previously handled by the government.
Correa warned that technology alone cannot replace experienced officers and accused the plan of pushing an anti‑government privatization agenda.

Current State of the SPP

About 20 U.S. airports already use the SPP, giving them a choice to participate.
Trump’s proposal would force smaller airports into the program.

Witnesses at the Hearing

Witness	Affiliation	Key Argument
Christopher Sununu	Airlines for America	Preserving the optional nature of the SPP is crucial for the aviation industry.
Chris McLaughlin	DFW International Airport CEO	Airports should decide whether to hire private screeners.
Everett Kelley	American Federation of Government Employees President	“I’m totally against the privatization of any airport.” Compared it to contracting out intelligence agencies.

Democratic Concerns

Some Democrats feared that outsourcing could weaken U.S. airspace security.

Chairman Garbarino’s Counterpoint

Noted that cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Atlanta already use private screeners, suggesting the issue is not purely partisan.

The hearing underscored a clash between ensuring TSA workers are paid and protected, and the push to modernize airport security through private partnerships.