Warnock Statement on Washington Republicans’ Move to Block Funding for TSA Workers

Today, Senate Republicans blocked legislation to pay TSA workers, as well as legislation to fund the Coast Guard and FEMA

This week, Senator Reverend Warnock joined a bipartisan effort to provide funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the event of a lapse in funding

This week, TSA agents will miss their first full paycheck due to the partial government shutdown

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked legislation to pay TSA workers, as well as legislation to fund the Coast Guard and FEMA. Senate Republicans refuse to fund these agencies unless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is allowed to continue to operate without reasonable guardrails to protect U.S. citizens' constitutional rights.

Additionally, Senator Warnock joined forces with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) on the bipartisan Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025, which would provide funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and air traffic controllers in the event of a government shutdown.

"TSA workers shouldn't be pawns in Washington's partisan political games. Congressional Republicans are forcing a false choice between paying TSA agents and the safety and civil rights of U.S. citizens. I urge my colleagues to help us pass legislation that pays TSA agents immediately while continuing negotiations to ensure our immigration enforcement has training and accountability.

In 2025, Senator Warnock broke with his own party and voted for the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would have provided funding to pay excepted and furloughed federal employees and certain contractors, including TSA agents, during all future government shutdowns. Senator Warnock is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Keep America Flying Act to pay TSA agents and air traffic controllers during a government shutdown. Senator Warnock has now voted three times to pay essential workers during government shutdowns. All three votes have failed on the Senate floor.