Trump Signs Order to Pay TSA Workers After Congress Fails on Funding

Executive action aims to ease airport security lines amid DHS shutdown

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:34pm

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees after Congress failed to reach a deal to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move is intended to ease long security lines at airports, but does little to resolve the broader DHS funding impasse.

Why it matters

The DHS shutdown has resulted in growing travel delays and warnings of potential airport closures as more TSA workers miss paychecks and stop showing up for work. This executive order by Trump aims to provide some relief, but the larger political standoff over immigration enforcement funding remains unresolved.

The details

Trump signed the executive action authorizing the use of funds to pay TSA workers, saying the circumstances 'constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation's security.' Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said TSA employees should begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday. However, the shutdown of DHS will reach 44 days on Sunday, eclipsing the previous record of 43 days last fall.

  • The DHS shutdown will reach 44 days on Sunday, March 31, 2026.
  • Trump signed the executive order on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed the executive order to pay TSA employees during the DHS shutdown.

Markwayne Mullin

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who stated that TSA workers should begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday.

Mike Johnson

The Speaker of the House who rejected the Senate's funding deal and announced the House would pursue a different route to fund the DHS.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic leader who said the House GOP plan to fund DHS would be 'dead on arrival in the Senate.'

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Democratic leader who said the Senate-passed bill would clear the House with bipartisan support if allowed to be voted on.

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What they’re saying

“America's air travel system has reached its breaking point. I have determined that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation's security.”

— President Donald Trump

“This gambit that was done last night is a joke.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker

“This could end, and should end, today.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader

What’s next

The House and Senate will need to reconcile their differences and pass a funding bill to reopen the Department of Homeland Security before the shutdown reaches record lengths.

The takeaway

The ongoing political standoff over immigration enforcement funding has led to a partial government shutdown that is severely impacting the nation's air travel system. While the President's executive order aims to provide some relief, a broader compromise remains elusive as lawmakers leave Washington for a recess.