Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is personally thanking Transportation Security Administration workers who kept showing up through the 43-day federal government shutdown with $10,000 bonus checks. Noem made the announcement Thursday at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where she handed out the first batch of checks to about twenty TSA agents.
She said the payments are meant to recognize employees who went “above and beyond” — taking on extra shifts and keeping airport security lines moving despite going without pay for more than a month.
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“We’re going to look at every individual that did exceptional service during this period of time when there were so many hardships,” Noem said.
The Department of Homeland Security says the bonuses will be covered using leftover funds from last year’s budget. It noted that more TSA employees around the country could soon receive the same recognition.
The move follows Trump’s call earlier this week for $10,000 bonuses for air traffic controllers who never missed a shift during the shutdown. Trump praised their “patriotism,” while also criticizing those who took leave, saying the most dedicated workers should be rewarded.
In a post on X, Noem echoed that sentiment, thanking DHS employees for their “dedication and resilience throughout the Democrats’ Shutdown — 43 days without pay for many of you.”
Union leaders have praised the recognition. However, they urged the administration to consider extending some level of compensation to all workers who endured the pay freeze, not just those singled out for perfect attendance.
For now, TSA employees at Houston’s airport are the first to benefit. It marks a rare bright spot after six weeks of unpaid work that strained morale across the federal workforce.
