Airports rally for donations as federal workers face missed paychecks

Driving the news: Denver International Airport asked followers on social media for $10 and $20 grocery and gas gift cards for TSA employees.

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport opened a food pantry for TSA agents and is asking for donations of non-perishables, hygiene products and baby supplies.

Context: Many transportation security officers already work paycheck to paycheck, TSA says.

• The agency reported that during last year's record-breaking government shutdown, more than 1,100 security officers departed, a more than 25% increase in separations from the same period the prior year.
• Geoff Freeman, the CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement that with an average salary around $35,000, these officers "simply cannot afford to miss a paycheck."

The fine print: Donations are subject to government ethics regulations.

• According to TSA guidance shared during last fall's shutdown, management can accept donations from travelers on behalf of TSA to share with front-line workers.
• However, they can't accept cash or cash-equivalent gift cards, like VISA cards.

Catch up quick: DHS funding expired about a month ago with lawmakers locked in a stalemate over immigration enforcement.

• Other agencies under the DHS umbrella, like FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, also remain in limbo.
• Democrats have proposed proposed funding certain agencies like FEMA and TSA, while Republicans floated a measure to temporarily fund all of DHS. Both efforts failed.

What we're watching: The Senate is set to vote again Thursday on DHS funding, but there's no sign the impasse has eased, even with Secretary Kristi Noem on the outs.

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