Trump Signs Executive Order to Pay TSA Agents After House Rejection

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the payment of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers after a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was rejected by the House of Representatives, deepening an ongoing government funding crisis.

The decision comes amid a prolonged partial shutdown of DHS, which began in mid-February following disagreements in Congress over immigration policy and agency funding.

A Senate-approved funding proposal aimed at restoring operations failed to pass the House, with Republican lawmakers opposing provisions that excluded funding for immigration enforcement agencies.

In response to the deadlock, Trump authorized the Department of Homeland Security to use available funds to immediately compensate TSA personnel, many of whom had already missed multiple paychecks.

The White House described the situation as a national security concern, citing growing disruptions across the U.S. airports.

Officials say TSA workers could begin receiving their pay within days, offering relief to thousands of employees affected by the shutdown. The agency has been grappling with staff shortages, rising absenteeism, and long security wait times at major airports, with some officers reportedly resigning due to financial hardship.

While the executive order is expected to ease immediate pressure on airport operations, analysts warn it is only a temporary fix.

The broader funding impasse remains unresolved, with both Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the stalemate and insisting on differing priorities regarding immigration enforcement and federal spending.