During a recent House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, members expressed bipartisan support for ensuring that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers receive pay during government shutdowns and emphasized the need for modernizing airport security technology. The discussion was overshadowed by the Trump administration's proposal to privatize airport screening at smaller airports, which could lead to the loss of over 4,500 TSA positions. Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (Republican, New York) noted that TSA officers had endured 119 days of unpaid work during shutdowns, highlighting the need for reliable funding. The proposed budget includes $477.3 million for private contractors to take over screening at approximately 250 smaller airports. Critics, including Rep. Lou Correa (Democrat, California), argued that privatization could compromise security and diminish the effectiveness of experienced TSA personnel. The committee is also advocating for legislation to increase TSA funding for security technology, which has been historically diverted to deficit reduction. The 9/11 Passenger Security Fee, initially designed to fund aviation security, has seen about $15 billion redirected since 2013, prompting calls for restoring its original purpose.