Trump Directs Pay for TSA Agents as DHS Funding Stalls
US President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday instructing his administration to pay airport security agents after a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stalled in Congress.
Despite the order to pay TSA agents, the action may face legal and political obstacles.
Congressional Deadlock and Government Shutdown
The Senate reached an agreement early Friday to end a partial 40-day US government shutdown, but the House rejected the deal. With Congress preparing for a two-week recess, funding for DHS, which encompasses TSA agents, appeared unlikely.
The shutdown has significantly impacted US air travel. Hundreds of airport security workers, who have been working without pay, have resigned since the shutdown began.
Political Disagreements Over DHS Funding
Democrats have refused to approve a funding deal without reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the Senate reached a unanimous agreement early Friday after removing ICE and parts of border protection from the funding measure.
House Republicans have indicated they will not support legislation that excludes funding for immigration enforcement and voter ID requirements.
"Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
Johnson stated he is considering a 60-day continuing resolution to fund all of DHS, including ICE, which would take effect on May 22.
If passed, this resolution would return the issue to the Senate, which is about to begin a two-week recess.
However, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on Friday that such a bill would be "dead on arrival."
"We've been clear from day one: Democrats will fund critical Homeland Security functions—but we will not give a blank check to Trump's lawless and deadly immigration militia without reforms," Schumer said in a statement on Friday.
Airport Disruptions and TSA Staffing Challenges
The Senate's fresh funding package was hoped to end widespread disruptions at US airports, where travelers have faced hours-long queues due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints.
Approximately 50,000 TSA agents, under DHS, have been working without pay since mid-February due to the shutdown. This has decreased daily attendance and led to hundreds resigning.
A BBC reporter at Houston airport noted on Thursday night that after waiting about two hours in a winding queue spanning one floor, exhausted travelers ascended an escalator believing they had reached the end—only to encounter another long line extending toward security.
Currently, only between one-third and 50% of TSA checkpoints are operational, according to Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System.
Trump's Executive Order and Senate Reactions
A few hours before the Senate vote, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would sign an executive order "to immediately pay out TSA Agents."
"Trump should never have had to step in to rescue TSA workers and US air travel," said Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune, addressing the chamber after the vote.
"We're here because, thanks to Democrats determined refusal to reach an agreement, there will be no Homeland Security funding bill this year," he added. "Instead... Republicans funded the Department of Homeland Security piecemeal. That is not the way to fund the department."
Schumer stated the package included funding for the TSA, US Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
He told the chamber that "in the wake of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Senate democrats were clear: no blank cheque for a lawless ICE and border patrol."
Controversy Surrounding ICE Actions
There has been increasing controversy regarding ICE agents' actions, especially in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot by federal agents during operations earlier this year.
Democrats want any DHS funding agreement to include measures such as ending ICE agents wearing masks, banning racial profiling, and requiring judicial warrants before agents can enter private property.
