Senate Democrats Make Sure They Keep Receiving Their Salaries as DHS Employees Miss More Paychecks

“I guess the Democrats’ 43-day full-government shutdown from earlier this fiscal year ought to have made it clear that Democrats are happy to deprive government workers of their salaries if it serves their political ends. But I still marvel at the fact that Democrats have been willing to deprive some government employees of pay for almost 80 days now over the course of less than six months.” – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.)

DEMOCRATS SPENT THE LAST FEW DAYS VOTING AGAINST PAYING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY – BUT DEMOCRATS MADE SURE THEY STILL GOT THEIR PAYCHECKS

On Friday, Democrats once again voted against considering funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #59 – 3/20/26)

This was the 14th time Senate Democrats have blocked extending funding for DHS, either by roll call vote or blocking unanimous consent requests. (H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #38 – 2/12/26; H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #39 – 2/24/26; H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #47 – 3/5/26; H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #54 – 3/12/26; U.S. Congress: Congressional Record Vol. 172 No. 30 – 2/12/26; The Hill: Senate Democrats block bill to fund DHS, spurning increased GOP pressure – 3/5/26; U.S. Congress: Congressional Record Vol. 172 No. 45 – 3/11/26; U.S. Congress: Congressional Record Vol. 172 No. 46 – 3/12/26; U.S. Congress: Congressional Record Vol. 172 No. 49 – 3/18/26; U.S. Congress: Congressional Record – Vol. 172 No. 50 – 3/19/26; H.R. 7147: Roll Call Vote #59 – 3/20/26)

While Democrats refuse to fully pay DHS employees, they made sure senators’ paychecks would still arrive on time:

“Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) attempted to pass his resolution to withhold senators’ pay during government shutdowns via unanimous consent on Sunday, but Senate Democrats objected and blocked the resolution.” (Sen. Kennedy: Democrats block Kennedy resolution to withhold senators’ pay during government shutdowns – 3/23/26)

“[H]ere is what my resolution would do: It would change Senate rules to provide that, when we are in a shutdown, that Senators cannot be paid, cannot receive their salaries. Their checks would be—think of it this way, Mr. President—locked in a vault. And once the shutdown is over, the Senators could pick them up.” – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)
“Kennedy tried to block senators from getting paid during a shutdown, Democrats said no.” (Punchbowl News’ John Bresnahan: post on X – 3/22/26)

“I object.” – Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

As DHS employees, including tens of thousands of TSA employees, began missing paychecks while still working, Sen. Schatz said Democrats “are very serene with what is going on.” (Bloomberg Government: Democrats Rejected DHS Meeting, GOP Says: BGOV Budget – 3/11/26)

After objecting to Sen. Kennedy’s resolution to withhold senators’ pay during the shutdown, Schatz “left before explaining why he objected.” (NBC News’ Frank Thorp V: post on X – 3/22/26)

MEANWHILE, AMERICA’S AIRPORTS ARE FALLING DEEPER INTO CHAOS

“TSA call-outs on Sunday, March 22, per DHS:”

“TSA call-out rate: 11.76%”
“Total TSA officer call-outs: 3,450+” (NBC News: post on X – 3/23/26)

“Major airport call-out rates from Sunday:”

“MSY 42.3%”
“ATL 41.5%”
“IAH 39.1%”
“BWI 38.1%”
“JFK 37.4%”
“PIT 24.7%”
“PHL 24.2%”
“LGA 21.7%”
“PHX 20.3%” (NBC News: post on X – 3/23/26)

“More than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit since a partial government shutdown that began on Feb. 14 left them working without pay, the Department of Homeland Security said.” (NBC News: More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began – 3/21/26)

“Of the TSA officers who quit during the shutdown, almost half have over three years of experience and a third have over five years, the agency said.” (NBC News: More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began – 3/21/26)

“There has also been a national callout rate of 10% at TSA on more than half the days of the last week, Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, said Saturday in response to questions.” (NBC News: More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began – 3/21/26)

“TSA, which is under DHS, has around 65,000 employees. Of that number, 50,000 are front-line officers who are is responsible for security at the nation’s airports.” (NBC News: More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began – 3/21/26)

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