Helena Regional Airport Seeks Donations for TSA Workers Amid Government Shutdown

Helena Regional Airport asked local residents to donate to its TSA agents in a social media post Monday, as agents have been unpaid since the Department of Homeland Security shutdown began on February 14. As the partial federal government shutdown crosses into week six, the airport is asking for food and gift card donations to help fuel unpaid Transportation Security Administration staff. The Independent Record reported 16 TSA staffers at the Helena airport have been working without pay.

"With the ongoing government shutdown, many of our TSA team members are continuing to serve without pay," the airport wrote. "We're proud of their dedication and want to support them during this challenging time."

Approved donations include non-perishable food items and ready-to-eat meals, as well as gift cards each valued at $20 or less. Cash donations cannot be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the Helena Regional Airport Administration Office, located on the second floor of the terminal building, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The $20 gift card cap is not arbitrary. Federal rules prohibit federal employees from soliciting or accepting gifts or items of monetary value greater than $20 if the gift is related to their government position. A DHS spokesperson confirmed that "TSA officers are prohibited from accepting gifts at screening locations," and that "even during a shutdown, cash or cash equivalents cannot be accepted on behalf of the agency."

The situation at Helena's airport stands in contrast to the strain visible at major hubs. Nationwide, 50,000 TSA airport security officers have been working without pay for over a month, and 10% failed to show up for duty on a recent Sunday. At least 376 TSA workers have quit their jobs altogether since the shutdown began on February 14, according to DHS. The acting deputy TSA administrator warned that it is "not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if callout rates go up."

Helena is not alone in turning to the community for help. Across the country, collections are popping up to help TSA officers who have been without full pay for more than a month. Denver International Airport placed collection bins and secure lock boxes in the Jeppesen Terminal Great Hall and the Final Approach Cell Phone Lot, though that airport's public plea drew backlash from some on social media who argued the burden should not fall on the traveling public.

In Washington, legislative attempts to break the deadlock have repeatedly stalled. Multiple bills have been introduced in the Senate that would fully fund TSA as negotiations about ICE funding continue, but they have all failed to pass. Most recently, a bill to fund TSA was put to a vote on Friday, and it failed 41-49 across party lines with every Senate Republican voting against the measure. Senate Republicans have now blocked legislation to fund TSA and other DHS components on 10 separate occasions. Senator Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Republicans "voted against paying TSA agents because they insist on tying TSA funding to their push to give even more money to ICE — without basic reforms," adding that "it is just plain wrong that Republicans are preventing TSA agents from getting paid while airport lines grow longer across the country."

TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay, and call-out rates have started to increase at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers. With spring break travel ramping up, Helena's 16 staffers are showing up anyway, and the airport is asking the community to make that a little more sustainable.