Take Action
Choose Your Role — Every Group Has a Part to Play
⚠The window is open — 116 days until Sept 30. The actions that matter most right now are preparatory — credit union enrollment, proactive creditor contact, TSP loan awareness. View the full resilience curriculum →
You have the most leverage of anyone in this fight. The shutdown ended April 30 but the next cliff is September 30. The three most impactful things you can do right now are preparatory — and none cost anything.
Do This Before September
Run a Credit Union Enrollment Session
The FONA pathway takes time to process. If members aren't enrolled before September 30, they'll be scrambling on Day 1 again. One chapter meeting with phones available to call 800-491-2328 can change that.
The FONA Pathway →
Before September 30
Push Your Senators on the Shutdown Fairness Act
The Shutdown Fairness Act (H.R.5801 / S.3012) and the True Shutdown Fairness Act (Walkinshaw) are AFGE's #1 legislative ask. September 30 is the last best window this Congress. A call from a local union president lands differently than one from a constituent.
Find & Call Your Senator →
This Month
Partner With The Frontline Fund
Give us 20 minutes to learn what your members actually needed during the 76-day shutdown — and what didn't work. We build the resource-matching tool around your reality, not ours.
Get in Touch →
Ongoing
Run the Financial Resilience Curriculum
Five modules — Know Your Runway, Credit Union Enrollment, Proactive Creditor Calls, TSP Awareness, and Credit Protection — each under 45 minutes. Designed for union hall delivery between shutdowns.
View Curriculum →
The shutdown ended April 30. You are funded through September 30. The smartest thing you can do with this window is build financial resilience before the next disruption — not during it.
Do This Now — Takes 10 Minutes
Enroll in Congressional FCU via FONA
Donate $1 to FONA (fona.org), then call 800-491-2328 to join Congressional FCU and pre-enroll for the 0% APR relief line. Membership processing takes time — do this while you're funded.
The FONA Pathway →
Critical — Read This
Do NOT Resign During a Shutdown
Officers who resign during a shutdown forfeit all back pay rights for hours already worked without compensation. More than 1,000 officers lost earned wages this way in FY2026. The financial pressure to resign feels immediate — the loss of accrued back pay is permanent.
Know Your Rights →
This Week
Calculate Your Financial Runway
How many days can you cover your expenses without a paycheck? Most officers didn't know during the shutdown. A 10-line worksheet can tell you — and tell you exactly where to shore up before September 30.
Start Module 01 →
Before Any Shutdown Begins
Call Your Creditors Proactively
Leniency has shrunk after three shutdowns in six months. Call your mortgage servicer, Con Edison (800-752-6633), and landlord before a payment is due — not after. Proactive outreach works; reacting after a miss does not.
Get the Call Script →
You saw the four-hour security lines at Spring Break. That was the direct result of financial pressure on TSA officers. Here's how travelers can help prevent it from happening again.
Takes 5 Minutes
Call Your Senators — Shutdown Fairness Act
The Shutdown Fairness Act (H.R.5801 / S.3012) guarantees TSA and other federal workers continue to be paid during any government shutdown. No new spending — just a guarantee paychecks don't stop. Call before September 30.
Find & Call Your Senator →
Easy Win
Share This Toolkit With Other Travelers
The more people who understand what TSA officers went through — and what's coming September 30 — the more political pressure builds to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act before the next lapse.
Share the Toolkit →
5 Minutes
Write a Letter to Your Airport
Several airports opened on-site food pantries for TSA workers during the shutdown. Advocate to Port Authority of NY/NJ to have food assistance infrastructure ready at JFK, LGA, and EWR before the next lapse.
Port Authority Contact →
The credit unions that pre-committed to Day 1 activation were the difference-makers. Congressional FCU, USSFCU, and Navy Federal were ready when the shutdown hit. Here's how other institutions can join them.
High Impact
Pre-Commit to Day 1 Activation
The Frontline Fund is building a coalition of credit unions that publicly pre-commit to activating 0% relief products on Day 1 of any future DHS shutdown — not two weeks in. Join the coalition before September 30.
Express Interest →
Now
Review & Update Shutdown Relief Products
Leniency and terms varied significantly across the three FY2026 shutdowns. Review your current shutdown relief product terms, confirm they're still active, and update communications so TSA workers can find them instantly.
Request a Briefing →
The FY2026 shutdowns generated extensive coverage during the crisis. The under-covered story is what happens between shutdowns — and whether workers are building resilience before September 30.
Best First Call
Tim Kauffman — AFGE National Communications
For on-record statements, officer interviews, and union perspective on the shutdown's impact: Tim Kauffman, AFGE Communications · (202) 374-6491 · tkauffman@afge.org
Contact AFGE Communications →
Data & Context
Request Briefing Materials
The Frontline Fund can provide: timeline of all three FY2026 shutdowns, payroll impact data, TSA resignation and callout statistics, and the September 30 outlook for JFK/LGA/EWR officers.
Request Briefing Materials →
Three shutdowns. 123 days of disruption. $1 billion in delayed payroll. More than 1,000 officers resigned. The Shutdown Fairness Act is ready for a floor vote. September 30 is the deadline.
Deadline: Sept 30, 2026
Pass the Shutdown Fairness Act
H.R.5801 / S.3012 and the True Shutdown Fairness Act (Walkinshaw) have bipartisan support and AFGE's full endorsement. No new spending. No political conditions. Just a guarantee TSA workers get paid during any lapse.
AFGE Endorsement →
Deadline: Sept 30
Pass FY2027 DHS Appropriations On Time
DHS has been shut down for 50%+ of FY2026. The TSA's acting administrator called this year's pattern proof that "TSA cannot depend on predictable congressional funding." FY2027 starts October 1. Fund DHS on time.
Senate Appropriations →
Long-Term Fix
Support a Standing Federal Worker Emergency Fund
Beyond the current cycle, there is no permanent infrastructure to help federal workers survive future lapses. The Frontline Fund is building the civilian side — a legislative mandate for a permanent federal emergency fund would complete the picture.
Request a Legislative Brief →