Rep. Gabe Vasquez Meets with TSA Workers Union in Albuquerque, Supports Bill to Guarantee TSA On-Time Pay
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On March 31, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) met with Gabriel Ochoa, Union President of the AFGE Local 1050 (representing all TSA agents across New Mexico and the El Paso airport), and his team at the Albuquerque International Sunport to thank them for their dedicated service to New Mexicans and hear their ongoing concerns about TSA pay and work conditions.
During the visit, Rep. Vasquez reiterated his call for a vote to pass long-term funding for the TSA and expressed support for the bipartisan Shutdown Fairness Act to ensure TSA workers are guaranteed on-time pay moving forward. Last Friday, the Republican-led Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to fund most of DHS, including the TSA, but Republican leadership in the House refused to bring it for a vote, leaving TSA workers to grapple with ongoing pay instability as Congress headed into a two-week district work period back at their home states.
“I spent time with TSA agents at the Sunport today and got to thank them for showing up and keeping New Mexicans safe, even while missing their paychecks because GOP leadership put political games over paying public servants,” said Vasquez. “They deserve stability and to be paid on time, every time. I'm pushing for a bill to do just that.”
Rep. Vasquez remains a strong proponent of restoring TSA funding as soon as possible and supporting long-term pay and protections for TSA agents, including:
- Joining a discharge petition led by Appropriations Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) to force a vote to end the DHS shutdown and restore paychecks for federal workers, including TSA agents.
- Supporting the Shutdown Fairness Act, a bill that would guarantee on-time pay for federal employees who are required to work during government shutdowns — including TSA workers — to ensure workers are not financially penalized for political gridlock in Washington.
- Championing the Rights for TSA Workforce Act, a bill to provide collective bargaining rights and increased compensation for these critical workers who keep our communities safe.
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