Trump set to sign order instructing Homeland Security to pay TSA agents
發佈日期: 2026-03-27 20:12
TVB News
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would sign an order instructing the Homeland Security secretary to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who have not received a full pay check since mid February.
This as senators worked overnight into Friday trying to end a budget impasse that has jammed airports and created hardship for workers.
This was the scene at New York's LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B late Wednesday. The long queue extending virtually the whole length of the terminal.
US airports remaining jammed due to short staffing at the TSA.
The agency's acting head saying the TSA may have to shut down operations at some airports as travellers are experiencing record waiting times.
Similar scenes in Houston - passengers having plenty of time while waiting in the security line - to vent their frustration.
Eche Emole, passenger travelling to Cancun said: "I mean, you see all the videos, but I think it's just. It just feels like America, man. You don't experience this in a lot of other countries, and I just feel like it's unacceptable. Like, it should not be happening."
James Person, a passenger travelling to Knoxville said: "The crowds have been really friendly, the staff's been great, the ICE guys and TSA guys have been wonderful. I'm just really upset with Congress for not doing their job to fund DHS (Department of Homeland Security) so we can get rid of this mess."
In Washington TSA's deputy administrator described the hardship facing unpaid airport workers.TSA deputy administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said: "Many in our workforce have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their childcare, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line, and drained their retirement savings. Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at highest level when in uniform to protect the travelling public."
The White House suggested invoking a national emergency to pay the TSA agents but instead Trump's order will pay the agents using money from his 2025 tax bill, according to a senior administration official.
At the same time senators were working through the night on a package that would fund as much of the rest of the department as possible including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Coast Guard.
Democrats have demanded restraints on the Homeland Security officers conducting the Trump administrations immigration enforcement actions before agreeing to fund those parts of the agency.
