Trump to Sign Order Paying TSA Agents as Senate Works Overnight on Funding Deal

President says he will use 2025 tax bill funds to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration workers amid airport chaos.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:26am

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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, while senators worked overnight into Friday trying to end a budget impasse that has jammed airports and created financial hardship for workers. The White House had considered invoking a national emergency to pay the TSA agents, but Trump's order will instead use money from his 2025 tax bill. Senators were also working on a package to fund as much of the rest of the Department of Homeland Security as possible, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard.

Why it matters

The funding shutdown has resulted in travel delays and even warnings of airport closures as TSA workers missing paychecks stop coming to work. Multiple airports are experiencing greater than 40% callout rates of TSA workers and nearly 500 of its nearly 50,000 transportation security officers have quit during the shutdown, raising concerns about public safety and the ability of airports to function.

The details

Trump's order will pay TSA agents using money from his 2025 tax bill, according to a senior administration official. Senators were working through the night on a package that would fund as much of the rest of the Department of Homeland Security as possible, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard. Democrats have demanded restraints on the Homeland Security officers conducting the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions before agreeing to fund those parts of the agency.

  • On Thursday, President Trump announced he would sign an order to immediately pay TSA agents.
  • Senators worked overnight into Friday trying to end the budget impasse.

The players

Donald Trump

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

John Thune

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

Chuck Schumer

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

Everett Kelley

The president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing TSA workers, who said Congress must pass a deal that funds DHS and pays all DHS workers.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Homeland Security Secretary who has said he is open to considering requiring judges to sign off before federal agents search 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 Senate 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

“We're grateful the TSA workers will be paid, but Congress must stay in session to pass a deal 'that funds DHS, pays all DHS workers, and keeps these vital agencies running.”

— Everett Kelley, President, American Federation of Government Employees

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.