These are not political pawns.
They are not bargaining chips.
They are not collateral damage in someone else’s fight.
They are the people who show up before dawn,
who stand on their feet for hours,
who keep millions of travelers safe every single day—
often for modest pay, with little recognition.
And right now?
They’re being told to wait.
To struggle.
To make do without the paychecks they’ve earned.
That’s not leadership. That’s failure.
If the argument is about policy—then argue policy.
If the fight is with another agency—then fight there.
But do not take it out on working people
who did nothing but show up and do their jobs.
We say this clearly:
Pay the TSA. Now.
End the political games.
Stop using workers as leverage.
Because security doesn’t pause.
Bills don’t pause.
Life doesn’t pause.
And neither should their pay.
If you can’t do your job without hurting them—
then maybe it’s time to question how you’re doing yours.
Until then, we stand with the agents.
We stand with their families.
We stand for basic fairness.
Pay them. Respect them. Let them work.
© Susie Stiles-Wolf