Senate Republicans are reportedly urging the White House to consider possible options to pay employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a partial government shutdown has halted funding.
The shutdown began last month, when congressional Democrats blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of a push to reform immigration enforcement policies. Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats have not made headway, resulting in TSA employees going weeks without pay.
One potential strategy for paying TSA employees is to invoke the National Emergency Act, which could enable the Trump administration to access unspent funds. Senate Republicans have attempted to negotiate with Democrats, including a proposal to fund all of DHS except the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit responsible for arrests and deportations, which is the primary area of contention for Democratic lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters on Thursday he has presented Democrats with “last and final” offer.
The shutdown has created a burden for travelers, which becomes even more of a concern as high travel seasons approach, including Easter and Passover holidays. According to DHS, employee callouts have reached record-high levels, resulting in hours-long wait times at airports. DHS leaders have blamed congressional Democrats’ actions for placing unnecessary financial burdens on TSA employees and creating chaotic conditions for travelers.
Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary of DHS, criticized the shutdown as a reckless move, pointing out that it was causing TSA agents to go without pay for the third time in six months. “These political stunts are causing unneeded financial hardship for our TSA officers and their families,” Bis said. “Now, 366 TSA officers have left the force. Because of this DHS shutdown, Americans are facing HOURS long waits at airports across the country. Democrats must reopen DHS now.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration is reviewing options to pay TSA employees, but clarified that it wants to remain firm in its push to end the shutdown altogether, especially since tapping unspent emergency funding could face legal challenges.
“It is true the White House is having discussions about a number of ideas to blunt the impact of the Democrat shutdown crisis, but no preparations or plans are currently underway,” Leavitt said. “The best and easiest way to pay TSA Agents is to fund DHS.”
