Trump signs order to pay TSA employees after Congress fails to agree on DHS funding

Executive action aims to ease long security lines at airports during shutdown

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:41am

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President Donald Trump has signed an executive action to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees after a bid to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fell apart in Congress. The move is intended to ease long security lines at many of the nation's top airports during the ongoing funding impasse.

Why it matters

The TSA is a critical part of the DHS, responsible for airport security screening. With TSA workers going unpaid during the shutdown, there were concerns that staffing shortages could lead to major delays and disruptions at airports across the country. Trump's executive action is an attempt to mitigate those impacts and keep air travel running smoothly.

The details

The executive action signed by Trump will direct federal funds to pay TSA employees during the DHS shutdown, even as Congress remains deadlocked on a spending bill to fully fund the department. This comes after a bipartisan effort in Congress to end the shutdown fell apart, leaving the impasse unresolved.

  • The DHS shutdown began on March 1, 2026 after Congress failed to agree on a new funding bill.
  • Trump signed the executive action on March 28, 2026 to pay TSA workers during the ongoing shutdown.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who signed the executive action to pay TSA employees during the DHS shutdown.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

A federal agency responsible for airport security screening that is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal executive department responsible for public security, whose funding lapsed and led to a partial government shutdown.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let this shutdown disrupt air travel and put the safety of the American people at risk.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

Congress will continue negotiations to pass a new funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which could end the partial government shutdown affecting the TSA and other DHS agencies.

The takeaway

This executive action by President Trump is a temporary fix to ensure TSA workers are paid during the ongoing DHS funding lapse, but a long-term legislative solution is still needed to fully resolve the government shutdown and provide stability for homeland security operations.