Lawmakers Cite Iran Strike Threats in Renewed Calls to End DHS Shutdown as TSA Works Unpaid
Amid a DHS shutdown that has left more than 60,000 TSA employees receiving only partial pay this week and facing no further pay until funding is restored — and which a White House official says cannot be fixed by the transfer authority used in the prior 43‑day shutdown — TSA has implemented emergency measures as unpaid staff brace for missed pay and worsening travel disruptions. Republican lawmakers have cited recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran and related threat warnings to press for an immediate end to the shutdown while DHS says it is coordinating with intelligence and law enforcement to monitor risks, even as Democrats argue the next funding move rests with the White House and some criticize the strikes as increasing vulnerability.
📌 Key Facts
- Over 60,000 TSA employees will receive only partial paychecks this week (for pre-shutdown work) and then no further pay until DHS funding is restored.
- TSA praised unpaid officers as “true models of selflessness and sacrifice” and blamed the “reckless DHS shutdown” and “political theater” by Democrats for making life harder for officers and their families.
- A White House official said TSA cannot be covered by the prior shutdown’s “big, beautiful bill” transfer authority because TSA operates on a different funding stream.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned growing travel delays and cancellations caused by unpaid TSA staff could become the political “difference maker” that forces a funding deal.
- Republicans, including Rep. Daniel Meuser and Sen. David McCormick, urged Democrats to immediately fund DHS, calling continued opposition “irresponsible” and “dangerous” in light of Iran-related threats.
- Senate Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray, say the next move is up to the White House, asserting they laid out priorities and rejected what they call a “very, very weak” counteroffer.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she is in direct coordination with federal intelligence and law enforcement partners to monitor and thwart potential threats after U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran and the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson criticized the administration’s Iran strikes as lacking a “clear strategy,” warning the U.S. is vulnerable to ensuing terrorism and expressing concern about the administration’s attention to threats.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 01, 2026
1:15 AM
Concerns rise over DHS shutdown in shadow of Iran strikes: 'Now would be a good time' to end it
New information:
- Rep. Daniel Meuser (R‑Pa.) publicly urged House and Senate Democrats to 'cease the politics' and immediately fund DHS, calling blocking DHS funding 'irresponsible and dangerous' in light of Iran-related threats.
- Sen. David McCormick (R‑Pa.) issued a statement that 'now would be a good time for Democrats to drop their opposition to DHS funding,' labeling continued opposition 'dangerous' given the situation in the Middle East.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she is in 'direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners' to monitor and thwart potential threats to the homeland following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran and reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- The article quotes TSA itself calling unpaid officers 'true models of selflessness and sacrifice' and explicitly blaming 'the reckless DHS shutdown' and 'political theater' by Democrats for making life harder for officers and their families.
- House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson (D‑Miss.) criticized Trump’s Iran strikes as lacking a 'clear strategy' and said the U.S. is 'vulnerable to ensuing terrorism attacks today because of Trump’s reckless, inflammatory actions,' expressing deep concern about the administration’s attention to threats.
February 28, 2026
3:00 PM
TSA workers brace for missed paychecks as Democrats hold firm on DHS funding
New information:
- Over 60,000 TSA employees will receive only partial paychecks this week (for pre‑shutdown work) and then no further pay until DHS funding is restored.
- A White House official confirms that, unlike the 43‑day shutdown, TSA cannot be covered by 'big, beautiful bill' transfer authority because it has a different funding stream.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune explicitly predicts that growing travel delays and cancellations caused by unpaid TSA staff could become the political 'difference maker' that forces a deal.
- Senate Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray, now publicly frame the next move as being in the White House’s hands, saying they laid out their priorities and rejected what they call a 'very, very weak' counteroffer.
February 26, 2026