President Trump said he will sign an order to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are paid after weeks of long security lines at airports. The move was described by the White House as a stopgap to address immediate staffing and operational disruptions while lawmakers continue negotiations over funding.
TSA officials had warned that a lapse in funding or prolonged funding fight could exacerbate delays and even lead to airport closures, and travelers at major hubs reported extended wait times in recent weeks. The president’s announcement aims to provide pay continuity for frontline screening workers amid the operational strain.
Lawmakers from both parties responded by urging Congress to pass a longer-term funding solution. Some Republicans expressed cautious optimism about a potential deal to fund TSA operations, while Democrats and union leaders welcomed steps to protect workers’ pay but said an executive order would not replace the need for stable appropriations and broader fixes to staffing and resources.
Legal and logistical questions remain about how quickly the order can be implemented and which authorities will be used to release funds or reallocate resources. Administration officials said more details on the order’s scope and timing would be released soon as they coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security and airport partners.