Some TSA agents who worked through government shutdown to get $10K bonuses

November 14, 2025

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has revealed that certain TSA agents who continued working throughout the 43-day government shutdown will be awarded $10,000 bonuses on top of their back pay. The announcement was made at a Houston airport where Noem distributed bonus checks to approximately two dozen agents, though the total number of recipients and specific eligibility criteria remain unclear. These bonuses will reward employees who demonstrated exceptional service by working extra shifts and maintaining operations during the shutdown, which caused significant air travel disruptions nationwide.

Who is affected

TSA agents and Transportation Security Officers who worked during the 43-day government shutdown
Air traffic controllers who continued working during the shutdown
Tens of thousands of DHS employees ranging from administrators to front-line security gate agents
American travelers who experienced nationwide air travel disruptions

What action is being taken

DHS is distributing $10,000 bonus checks to TSA agents who served with exemplary service
DHS is continuing to evaluate every employee who helped during the shutdown
The department is reviewing individuals who provided exceptional service to determine bonus eligibility

Why it matters

This initiative recognizes the significant sacrifices made by federal employees who worked without pay during an extended government shutdown while facing personal financial hardship. The bonuses acknowledge agents who took on extra shifts to compensate for colleagues who could not work, helping maintain critical transportation security operations during a period when air travel faced nationwide disruptions due to staffing shortages.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC