The Department of Homeland Security said TSA employees could begin receiving pay again as soon as Monday after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at restoring their pay, a move that follows a contentious fight on Capitol Hill over short‑term funding for DHS.
What happened
– The Senate, by unanimous consent, passed a short bill to fund most DHS operations — but it excluded funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection.
– House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected the Senate measure, calling it “unconscionable.” He said the House would instead send the Senate a “clean, simple” continuing resolution to fund the 10 agencies under DHS through May 22 at current levels.
– Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned the House proposal would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate and said Democrats would block it.
Why it matters
– TSA agents have been working without pay for weeks; DHS said pay restorations could begin quickly after the president’s order. The lack of pay has contributed to staffing strains and operational disruptions, and more than 500 agents have reportedly quit.
– The dispute centers on broader policy disagreements — including funding for immigration enforcement agencies — and on strategy within the Republican conference. Some House conservatives opposed the Senate’s bipartisan, unanimous‑consent approach, leading the Speaker to refuse to bring that bill to the floor.
– With the House and Senate at odds, Democrats in the Senate signaled they would not accept the House’s short‑term measure, increasing the risk the DHS shutdown will continue. Senate leaders warned the department could see an extended lapse that would exceed the 43‑day government shutdown record.
President’s action
– President Trump signed an executive order to restore TSA pay and, when asked about funding, directed questions to OMB acting director Russell Vought, saying agencies should find ways to pool funds. Administration officials have not detailed the precise sources for the payments or how they will be routed.
– The president addressed the stalemate after landing in Miami, blaming years of past policies for creating enforcement challenges while endorsing efforts to ensure DHS continues its mission.
Capitol Hill reaction
– Speaker Johnson said he would send a 60‑day continuing resolution to the Senate to maintain current funding levels for DHS agencies and give negotiators time to resolve policy disputes.
– Democrats and Senate leaders described the House proposal as unacceptable and signaled they would block it, setting up continued partisan gridlock over DHS funding.
Outlook
– The immediate effect of the executive order may ease financial pressure on some TSA workers, but unless Congress passes a funding measure acceptable to both chambers, operational and staffing pressures at DHS components could continue. Lawmakers in both parties say they will keep negotiating — but the impasse between the House and Senate means a prompt resolution is far from certain.