U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. visited Transportation Security Administration agents at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on March 23 to deliver pizza and thank them for working without pay during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
The gesture highlights the impact of the shutdown, which began on February 14 and has left thousands of federal employees across the country—including TSA agents, Coast Guard members, Secret Service personnel, and FEMA staff—continuing essential national security duties without compensation.
“These are the men and women showing up every single day to keep Americans safe, even when Washington hasn’t delivered for them,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’ve repeatedly voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security because these workers deserve certainty and a government that does its job. Pizza is a thank you, not a solution. The solution is simple: the Senate must reopen DHS and make sure these workers get paid.”
Bresnahan also referenced his decision to refuse his congressional salary during any federal government shutdowns in a letter sent January 30 to the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives. “…I remain committed to standing in solidarity with my constituents who expect Congress to do the most basic part of our job, keeping the lights on,” wrote Rep. Bresnahan. “If any part of the federal government shuts down, I will refuse to accept my congressional salary, and I request that my pay be withheld for as long as a shutdown may last.”
The congressman has supported multiple efforts this year aimed at restoring funding for DHS. He voted on January 22 and March 5 in favor of full-year funding measures for DHS through Fiscal Year 2026 and most recently backed H.R. 7744—the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act—which passed by a vote of 221-209.
As lawmakers continue negotiations over funding bills, many federal employees remain affected by delayed paychecks while maintaining critical operations.
