Trump to Sign Order Paying TSA Agents as Senate Scrambles for Funding Deal

President plans to use tax bill funds to pay transportation security officers as government shutdown drags on

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:05am

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President Donald Trump announced he will sign an order instructing the Homeland Security secretary to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents, using money from his 2025 tax bill. This comes as the White House and Senate continue negotiations to resolve the stalemate over Department of Homeland Security funding, with Democrats demanding restraints on Trump's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations as part of any deal.

Why it matters

The funding shutdown has resulted in travel delays and warnings of airport closures as TSA workers missing paychecks stop coming to work. This move by Trump aims to alleviate the chaos at airports, but the broader impasse over Homeland Security funding remains unresolved.

The details

Trump's order will pay TSA agents using money from his 2025 tax bill, according to a senior administration official. The White House had previously floated the idea of invoking a national emergency to pay the TSA agents. Senate leaders are preparing a package to fund as much as possible of the rest of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes FEMA and the Coast Guard. Democrats have demanded restraints on Trump's immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations as part of any deal.

  • On Thursday, Trump announced he would sign the order to pay TSA agents.
  • TSA workers were set to miss another paycheck on Friday.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who announced he will sign an order to pay TSA agents during the government shutdown.

John Thune

The Republican Senate Majority Whip who announced a "last and final" offer to Democrats to resolve the funding impasse.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic leader who said Democrats need to see real changes from Republicans before agreeing to a deal.

Susan Collins

The Republican chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee who said there was funding elsewhere that can be legally used to pay TSA and the Coast Guard without declaring a national emergency.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Homeland Security Secretary who has said he is open to considering requiring federal agents to get judicial approval before searching people's homes or private spaces.

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What they’re saying

“The president is doing absolutely the right thing. The TSA agents are going to be paid.”

— John Barrasso, Republican Senator, GOP Whip

“Enough is enough.”

— John Thune, Republican Senate Majority Whip

“They need to end this shutdown immediately or we'll have to take drastic measures.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.