Republicans in the US Senate have introduced legislation that would ensure pay for essential Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began October 1, 2025.
The measure, called the Keep America Flying Act of 2026, was introduced this week by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. According to a summary posted by the Government Publishing Office, the proposal would make “continuing appropriations” for essential personnel at the two agencies.
Although the full text of the bill is not yet available through Congress’ website, the intent is to keep the nation’s air traffic system and airport security operations functioning while much of the federal government remains unfunded.
Thousands of FAA and TSA employees have continued reporting to work since the shutdown began, even though they are not currently receiving pay. Many of these positions — including air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspectors, and TSA screening staff — are considered critical to public safety and national infrastructure, meaning they cannot be furloughed.
The strain of working without pay has begun to show. Earlier in October, a higher-than-normal number of FAA air traffic controllers called out sick, echoing similar impacts on federal workers in past shutdowns as employees grapple with missed paychecks.
The new Republican-sponsored legislation seeks to ease those pressures by guaranteeing that essential FAA and TSA employees receive pay during the shutdown. The measure would also authorize back pay for workers once federal funding resumes, though that detail was not explicitly stated in the summary available from the GPO.
The move comes as lawmakers continue to debate how to reopen the government after nearly a month of political stalemate. Multiple attempts to pass broader funding bills have failed in recent weeks, leaving large sections of the federal workforce in limbo.
While much of the public focus has centered on the economic and social impact of the shutdown, disruptions in aviation are among the most visible signs of strain. A prolonged lapse in pay could eventually affect air traffic operations, airport security lines, and ripple down to flight schedules if staffing levels fall.
During previous shutdowns, similar issues prompted calls from both parties to shield critical transportation workers from the political gridlock surrounding federal budgets. The Keep America Flying Act represents the latest attempt to provide that protection, at least on a temporary basis.
Senator Cruz has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the bill, and it remains unclear whether Senate Democrats will support the measure or propose their own version. Bipartisan cooperation would be required for the bill to move quickly through the Senate and the House.
In the meantime, FAA and TSA operations continue under contingency plans. Both agencies have emphasized that safety and security standards remain unchanged despite the funding lapse. However, union leaders representing air traffic controllers and TSA workers have warned that continued delays in pay could erode morale and create staffing challenges if the shutdown drags on.
As of Thursday, there were no signs that a comprehensive deal to fund the government was imminent. The Keep America Flying Act could become one of several targeted measures aimed at addressing the most critical impacts of the shutdown while broader negotiations continue.
