President Trump has ordered the immediate payment of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents as a 41-day funding shutdown continues to disrupt travel across the US. The decision came after House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed deal to fund key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subagencies.
The President initially announced the plan on social media, stating over 60,000 airport security workers would be paid. A subsequent memo directed the DHS secretary to begin payments, aiming to alleviate disruptions and long lines at major airports, including JFK where absentee rates exceed 30 percent.
DHS announced TSA employees, including 50,000 security officers, will begin receiving pay as soon as Monday. This move follows stalled negotiations on Capitol Hill and consideration of emergency measures to address the ongoing impasse.