1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I’m writing out of concern for public safety. Right now, TSA agents responsible for protecting millions of travelers are going unpaid due to the ongoing funding impasse within the Department of Homeland Security, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue working. When trained TSA agents can’t afford to stay on the job, the entire system is strained. This is not just a workforce issue—it’s a direct risk to the consistency and effectiveness of airport security. At the same time, TSA officers typically earn only $30,000–$50,000 annually, yet significant federal funds are being directed elsewhere—including recruitment incentives for ICE that can rival an entire year’s salary for a TSA agent. This is not about creating new programs, but about prioritizing existing resources. Redirecting funds to ensure trained TSA personnel are paid and retained would immediately strengthen public safety. Regardless of how the current impasse is being framed, the outcome is the same: a weakened security system and a workforce that cannot sustain itself. Deploying ICE agents—who are not trained for TSA screening—into airports does not solve the underlying problem. Ensuring that trained TSA personnel are paid should be a baseline commitment to public safety, not a point of leverage in a broader dispute.