Elon Musk Steps In to Fund TSA Salaries During Government Shutdown

Elon Musk has stepped forward with a proposal to cover the wages of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees amid the current partial government shutdown, which is wreaking havoc on travel across the nation.

On Saturday morning, Musk took to X, stating, “I am willing to fund the salaries of TSA staff during this budgetary deadlock that’s disrupting the lives of countless Americans at airports nationwide.”

The halt in TSA workers’ pay has led to staffing shortages, resulting in security wait times exceeding two hours at several airports across the United States.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known as the world’s busiest, travelers faced queues stretching up to 125 minutes on Saturday morning.

Similarly, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport experienced delays reaching 150 minutes, while wait times at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport exceeded 30 minutes.

TSA officers make about $50,000 per year on average, according to The New York Times. Musk, the richest man in the world, is valued at $814.3 billion.

The partial government shutdown stems from a congressional deadlock over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees TSA. 

As of Saturday morning, at least 1,350 delays and 80 cancelations had been reported across the country, according to FlightAware. 

Travelers wait in line at Terminal E at George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas, as the partial government shutdown continues

Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, offered to pay the salaries of TSA workers on Saturday morning 

Democrats want changes to federal immigration enforcement, which President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have not agreed to. 

About 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay since February 14 because the DHS is currently shutdown.

At least 366 agents nationwide have quit their jobs, according to the agency.

Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport reported wait times of 30 minutes, while Dallas-Fort Worth saw delays of 24 minutes. 

The DHS has also said that many TSA officers cannot pay their rent, afford gas or buy food because of the current shutdown.

Some were having to sleep at airports since they could not commute home, according to the agency, which said that ‘Democrats must end this madness.’ 

To date, the Atlanta airport has had the highest average callout rate during the shutdown so far at 21.5 percent.

Other airports with high average TSA callout rates during the shutdown include JFK Airport at 21.4 percent, Houston Hobby at 21 percent and New Orleans at 16.5 percent, according to the DHS.

About 50,000 TSA workers have been working without pay since February 14 with the Department of Homeland Security shutdown

Wait times reached up to 125 minutes on Saturday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest in the world

Wait times to pass security have seen major delays across the nation US after TSA workers’ pay was stopped

Disruptions have also been reported in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Minneapolis, Miami, Salt Lake City and other airports on both coasts.

The travel madness is expected to continue as long as TSA workers do not get paid. Travelers are encouraged to check airport websites, as wait times will fluctuate.

A longtime TSA worker said some agents could not support their families, let alone get to work.

‘Whether it’s “I can’t put gas in my car,” “I have to take care of my children,” “I have to pay my light bill so that my lights won’t get cut off,” … those are the reasons that officers are not showing up,’ Aaron Barker, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 554 in Atlanta, said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

‘Officers are scared,’ Barker added. ‘They don’t know what to do.’ 

Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that TSA workers are set to miss another payment on March 27.

‘If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,’ Duffy told CNN on Friday. ‘These are going to be good days compared to what’s going to happen a week from now.’

Atlanta’s airport has had the highest average callout rate during the shutdown so far at 21.5 percent

More than 1,300 delays and 430 cancelations had been reported nationwide, as of Saturday morning

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned earlier this week that the delays and travel chaos could still get worse, with TSA workers set to miss another paycheck on March 27

He said small airports could shut down unless a lawmakers reach a compromise to end the partial government shutdown.

TSA’s acting deputy administrator, Adam Stahl, has also warned that entire airports could come to a halt.

‘It’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if call-out rates go up,’ Stahl said.

‘The reality of the situation is this is going to get worse before it gets better, if we don’t see any sort of action,’ he added. 

A bill to fund the DHS failed to advance Friday in the Senate. 

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday to fund only the TSA, as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the DHS for comment on the shutdown and delays.