Major U.S. airline CEOs are asking Congress to resolve a partial government shutdown, which has left 50,000 TSA workers without pay since February 14, 2026. The shutdown occurred because Democrats were unwilling to provide the Department of Homeland Security with funding without changes to immigration policies. The demands come as a result of the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. The TSA workers, who are receiving "$0 paychecks" and quitting their jobs, are causing wait times to be over two hours at Austin, Atlanta, and other airports. The airline CEOs are asking for legislation to be passed to protect their workers' pay in the future, ensuring that air travelers are not political footballs.