Trump says he will order DHS to 'immediately' pay TSA officers as partial shutdown persists
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump announced he will sign an order to pay TSA officers who have missed paychecks during the Department of Homeland Security funding lapse, instructing newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to act immediately.
- TSA officers have experienced high call-out rates exceeding 11% nationally, with some airports seeing rates over 40%, causing security lines to extend beyond four hours.
- The Senate has struggled to advance a House-passed bill to fully fund DHS for a year, with Democrats opposing it due to demands for changes to ICE following recent controversies.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that funding DHS is the best way to pay TSA agents, while discussions continue on other ideas to improve airport conditions amid record security wait times.
- The Senate remains in negotiations with an open vote on DHS funding, but no deal has been reached as lawmakers prepare for a two-week recess, leaving uncertainty about whether they will stay in session to resolve the issue.
