Trump says he'll order DHS to start paying TSA officers as shutdown drags on
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump announced he will sign an executive order to restart pay for TSA officers, who have gone over a month without full pay amid a DHS funding lapse, causing significant staff absences and long airport lines.
- The administration plans to use funds from last summer's One Big Beautiful Bill Act to pay TSA officers, though the specific legal authority for this action remains unclear.
- TSA absenteeism has surged, with some airports experiencing callout rates above 40%, leading to extended wait times and potential airport closures; ICE agents have been deployed to assist TSA at major airports.
- Senate Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over DHS funding and immigration reforms, delaying a full resolution, though the Senate has approved partial DHS funding; the House has yet to act.
- Airlines for America praised the move to pay TSA officers, while an earlier offer from Elon Musk to fund TSA pay was declined due to legal concerns related to his government contracts.
