Trump Orders Paychecks for TSA Workers as Congress Stalls

Airport chaos continues as lawmakers fail to reach deal on Homeland Security funding

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:03pm

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to pay airport security agents after a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security stalled in Congress. The partial government shutdown has led to long security lines at US airports as hundreds of TSA agents have quit due to lack of pay.

Why it matters

The ongoing funding impasse and resulting airport chaos have exposed deep partisan divisions in Congress over immigration enforcement and border security. This latest move by the President to bypass Congress and pay TSA workers directly could face legal and political challenges.

The details

The US Senate reached a deal early Friday to end the 40-day partial government shutdown, but the House rejected it. With Congress set to take a two-week break, funding for the DHS, which includes the TSA, seemed unlikely. This has led to hundreds of unpaid airport security workers quitting, causing major disruptions at airports across the country.

  • On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents.
  • The Senate reached a deal early Friday to end the partial government shutdown.
  • The House rejected the Senate's funding deal, making DHS funding unlikely before Congress' two-week break.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed an executive order to pay TSA workers during the government shutdown.

Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House, who said Republicans would not support any effort to reopen borders or stop immigration enforcement.

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic Senate Minority Leader, who said a 60-day continuing resolution to fund the DHS would be "dead on arrival".

John Thune

The Republican Senate Majority Leader, who said Republicans had to fund the Department of Homeland Security "piecemeal" due to Democrats' refusal to reach an agreement.

Renee Good

A US citizen who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this year, sparking controversy over the agency's actions.

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What they’re saying

“Republicans are not going to be any part of any effort to reopen our borders or to stop immigration enforcement.”

— Mike Johnson, Republican House Speaker

“We've been clear from day one: Democrats will fund critical Homeland Security functions - but we will not give a blank check to Trump's lawless and deadly immigration militia without reforms.”

— Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senate Minority Leader

“Trump should never have had to step in to rescue TSA workers and US air travel.”

— John Thune, Republican Senate Majority Leader

What’s next

If a 60-day continuing resolution to fund the DHS is passed by the House, it would kick the issue back to the Senate, which has just begun a two-week recess.

The takeaway

The ongoing funding impasse and resulting airport chaos have exposed deep partisan divisions in Congress over immigration enforcement and border security. The President's executive action to pay TSA workers directly could face legal and political challenges, underscoring the dysfunction in Washington.