US senator proposes 10% bonus to 100,000 Homeland Security employees working without pay

Senator Ruben Gallego proposes a 10% bonus for over 100,000 Homeland Security employees working without pay amid the ongoing government shutdown. DHS workers, including 50,000 TSA officers, face missing their second full paycheck as the stalemate continues.

David Shepardson/Reuters

March 25, 2026

US senator proposes 10% bonus to 100,000 Homeland Security employees working without pay

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego speaks during the "People's State of the Union" event ahead of U.S. President Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026.

Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego on Tuesday introduced legislation to give more than 100,000 Homeland Security Department employees a 10% bonus for time worked without pay since a partial government shutdown began in mid-February.

DHS workers -- including 50,000 Transportation Security Administration airport security officers -- are set to miss their second full paycheck on Friday if the standoff continues.

-David Shepardson/Reuters