Trump Orders Pay for TSA Workers as Congress Hits Standstill

Homeland Security announces TSA employees will receive paychecks amid ongoing government shutdown

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:57pm

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees will begin receiving paychecks as the department's shutdown continues. This comes after the Senate unanimously voted to pass a bill that would fund the department, aside from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but the U.S. House rejected the bill outright. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to direct payment toward the more than 60,000 TSA employees.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown has had a significant impact on TSA workers, with more than 480 agents resigning and workers missing over $1 billion in pay. This move by the Trump administration aims to provide some relief to TSA employees who have faced financial hardship due to the lack of paychecks.

The details

After the Senate unanimously voted to pass a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security, aside from ICE, the U.S. House rejected the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will pursue its own bill that would fully fund the department for 60 days, but the Senate's bill would not move forward because it did not include funding for ICE. President Trump was critical of the Senate-passed bill and signed an executive order to direct payment toward the more than 60,000 TSA employees.

  • On Wednesday, TSA deputy administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told the House Homeland Security Committee that more than 480 workers have resigned and workers have missed $1 billion in pay.
  • As of Friday, TSA agents were on their second pay period without receiving a paycheck.
  • The TSA has been shut down for more than 85 days this fiscal year.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed an executive order to direct payment toward the more than 60,000 TSA employees.

Markwayne Mullin

The Secretary of Homeland Security.

Mike Johnson

The Republican U.S. Representative from Louisiana and Speaker of the House.

Ha Nguyen McNeill

The deputy administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

Alan Fyall

The associate dean of the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

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What they’re saying

“Most people in lower to middle salaries, if you miss two paychecks, that's a problem. That's not unique to TSA agents. As they would say, 'do the math.'”

— Alan Fyall, associate dean, University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management

“Many of our workforce have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off. Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma and taking on second jobs to make ends meet.”

— Ha Nguyen McNeill, deputy administrator, Transportation Security Administration

What’s next

The House will pursue its own bill that would fully fund the Department of Homeland Security for 60 days, but it remains to be seen if this bill will pass the Senate.

The takeaway

This move by the Trump administration to order pay for TSA workers provides some much-needed relief for federal employees who have faced significant financial hardship due to the ongoing government shutdown. However, the broader political impasse in Congress over funding the Department of Homeland Security continues, and it remains uncertain when a resolution will be reached.