Governor Moore Authorizes Second Loan Payment, Continuing Maryland’s Support for TSA Agents and Other Federal Workers Impacted by Shutdown

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today announced the authorization of a second payment in the state's Federal Shutdown Loan Program, offering ongoing financial relief to impacted federal workers in Maryland. The Moore-Miller Administration continues to offer a network of state resources, protections, and direct aid to all federal workers impacted by the partial federal government shutdown, including TSA agents.

"Our federal employees, including TSA agents, are showing up for work every day, and we refuse to leave them behind because of dysfunction in Washington," said Gov. Moore. "Maryland is committed to using every resource at our disposal to support our people, keep families stable, and ensure they can meet their daily needs."

The Maryland Department of Labor's Federal Shutdown Loan Program, originally established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2019, provides $700 no-interest loans to Maryland residents who are federal employees designated as "excepted," meaning they are working without pay during a shutdown. The support is crucial as excepted workers are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

"Expenses don't stop when a paycheck does. TSA agents and other federal workers still need to pay rent, buy groceries, and support their families," said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. "This loan program is not a substitute for a paycheck, but it can provide a degree of relief for these workers, who are serving our communities."

The Maryland Department of Labor reactivated the program in February 2026, in response to the partial federal shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security. Since then, the program has provided $35,000 in no-interest federal shutdown loans. TSA employees represent the largest group of current applicants at 42 percent.

The program, initially launched in October 2025, previously issued 3,483 loans-totaling $2,438,100-to more than 2,000 excepted federal employees during the October-November 2025 shutdown; two-thirds of those fall 2025 borrowers received a second loan. Applicants who received a Federal Shutdown Program Loan in fall 2025 were required to repay that loan in full before applying for a new loan during this current shutdown.

To provide a centralized location for assistance, the state has reactivated its Maryland Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown resource website. The site highlights several key protections and programs, including:

• Foreclosure and eviction protections under Maryland law.
• Electric and gas utility service protections under Maryland law.
• Partnerships with local credit unions and banks to provide low-interest loans and financial assistance.
• Information on the Maryland Department of Labor's shutdown loan program.

To show appreciation and provide additional direct assistance, the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Aviation Administration have distributed 1,600 gift cards, totaling $40,000, to federal workers impacted by the partial shutdown. The effort provided up to $50 in aid per worker through $25 gift cards from Wawa and Giant, helping families with essential needs.

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank also provided 600 food boxes earlier this month to TSA agents at BWI Marshall as another means of support.

Federal workers, including TSA agents, are encouraged to visit the resource website for detailed information on how to access protections and apply for financial assistance.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dinah Winnick