<p>WASHINGTON — Over a month into the Democrat-led Department of Homeland Security shutdown, the largest independent pilots union in the United States is calling for Congress to end the shutdown and pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers.</p>
<p>“Congress must act immediately to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and ensure TSA officers are paid,&#8221; Allied Pilots Association President First Officer Nick Silva said in a statement first obtained by The Daily Wire. &#8220;These dedicated professionals show up every day to protect the traveling public and maintain the safety of our National Airspace System.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Forcing them to work without pay is unsustainable and puts both efficiency and security at risk,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Supporting TSA is essential to keeping our aviation system safe, reliable, and moving.”</p>
<p>That statement comes after Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu similarly called for an end to the shutdown on March 9, saying: &#8220;More than 2.7 million people cleared through TSA yesterday, but too many had to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints. It’s unacceptable to have wait times of 2 or 3 hours. And it’s unacceptable that TSA officers will have $0 in their paychecks this week.&#8221;</p>
<div class="emphasis">
<p>“It’s day 24 of this shutdown, and it is past time for Congress to get to the table and reach an agreement that reopens DHS,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Congress, do your job!”</p>
</div>
<p>Since the shutdown began, over thirty days ago, more than 300 TSA officers have quit their jobs, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-absences-double-shutdown-300-quit-airport-security-lines/">CBS News reports</a>. TSA officers have begun calling out at increasing rates, causing long security lines across the nation. Half the officers at Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, have called out, according to CBS.</p>
<div id="attachment_1063359" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pilots-dont-mince-words-as-they-issue-stark-warning-on-homeland-safety/hobby-airport-tsa-line-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1063359"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1063359" class="wp-image-1063359 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2265600703-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2265600703-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2265600703-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2265600703-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2265600703.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-1063359" class="wp-caption-text">Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026.  (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)</p></div>
<p>TSA statistics covered by the publication show that the nationwide callout rate rose to an average of 6% during this DHS shutdown, though that rate climbed to 9% on February 23 and 8% on March 6. That compares to the 2% callout rate before the shutdown began.</p>
<p>As the shutdown continues, officers are reporting that they are struggling to cover basic expenses, including rent and childcare, according to the Department of Homeland Security. One TSA officer faces eviction after missing his first full paycheck, and another, who is a cancer patient, is unable to keep up with insurance copays.</p>
<p>Some TSA officers are even sleeping in their cars at the airport, The Daily Wire has learned, in order to save on gas money and other costs while they continue to work without pay.</p>
<p>The surge in unscheduled absences is due in part to TSA officers taking second jobs to make ends meet, DHS shared. Many workers had not yet recovered from the last two shutdowns, since this is the third shutdown they have faced during the past 15 months.</p>
<p>According to the White House, over 100,000 DHS workers missed their full paychecks last week due to the shutdown, amounting to about $1 billion in unpaid wages each month. The White House says the shutdown has caused at least $2.5 billion in losses thus far.</p>
<p>At the same time, The Daily Wire reported on Monday, DHS staff who investigate terrorism are not being paid due to the ongoing, partial government shutdown – 80% of the Office of Intelligence &amp; Analysis is working without pay while they defend the United States on the home front, a Homeland Security spokesman told The Daily Wire.</p>
<p>That department is the primary office tracking terrorism and threats, and specializes in sharing intelligence and analysis to “identify and mitigate threats to the homeland.” A DHS spokesman told The Daily Wire that “Democrats are shamelessly playing politics with national security.&#8221;</p>
<p class="m_-3262640427015735770xxxmsonormal">“DHS shares timely and actionable intelligence from the intelligence community to state and local governments to ensure they are aware of any emerging threats to keep their communities safe,” the spokesman explained. “With major events such as America 250 and the World Cup coming up, along with the numerous threats our nation must be prepared for, DHS needs to be fully funded as soon as possible to ensure the safety and security of the homeland.”<u></u></p>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Pilots Don’t Mince Words As They Issue Stark Warning On Homeland Safety

CONTINUE READING

Inside President Trump’s Memorial Day Tribute To America’s Fallen Heroes

Here’s What Tulsi Gabbard Plans To Reveal Before Leaving Office

Team Trump Goes All Out To Oust Thomas Massie

JD Vance Says Dems Let Fraud Run Wild In Midterm Messaging Push

Daily Wire Asks Trump About Jailed Publisher Jimmy Lai, He Responds With Message To Beijing

What To Expect From Donald Trump’s Long-Awaited Trip To China

Exclusive

Air Travel

Democrat

Department of Homeland Security

Pilots

U.S.

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Exclusive —

Pilots Don’t Mince Words As They Issue Stark Warning On Homeland Safety