The partial shutdown of the federal government continues, but billionaire Elon Musk has a suggestion for how to get things rolling.
Democrats continue to keep the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) closed until their demands are met, and this has directly impacted citizens looking to travel by air. The employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have gone unpaid for over a month, resulting in unpredictable wait times and smaller airports being shut down completely. Some agents are even quitting entirely, which creates a longer-term problem that will persist after funding resumes.
On Saturday, Musk took to X with an offer to personally pay TSA agents until the government can get its act together.
I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 21, 2026
“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” he wrote.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has already lambasted his party for being unwilling to find a compromise that will help keep the United States safe, praised the billionaire for his generous offer.
This is incredibly generous.
TSA agents across the country are relying on food pantries and community donations just to get by.
I remain the lone Dem to vote with my Republican colleagues to fully fund DHS and get people paid.
It should never come to this point. https://t.co/MmUnAcdvIa
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 21, 2026
“This is incredibly generous. TSA agents across the country are relying on food pantries and community donations just to get by. I remain the lone Dem to vote with my Republican colleagues to fully fund DHS and get people paid. It should never come to this point,” he said.
X users weighed in:
Make it so politicians can’t bypass lines and this problem would get solved today. That’s literally all you have to do.
— baloney_and_cheese (@Baloney_and) March 21, 2026
It is sad that it has to come down to this, kudos to @elonmusk for doing what our government can’t!
— Matthew Olafsen (@MatthewOlafsen) March 21, 2026
I would vote for transferring the TSA to a private company. Clearly Congress and Senate are not looking out for the safety of American’s citizens and its air infrastructure 😊
— deplorablepuppy (@deplorablepuppy) March 21, 2026
It should not. We need a bill passed that employees will still get paid in shutdowns, Congress will NOT get paid.
— HuskerFan58 (@akeece58) March 21, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.