Read the full article on KETV 7
Emergency funds keeping TSA workers paid during the partial government shutdown are running out, raising concerns about a shutdown repeat filled with potential airport delays and long security wait times.Friday reportedly marked the last full paycheck for TSA workers using $10 billion of emergency money authorized by President Donald Trump last month. This week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the money from the fund would run out as early as May. With no permanent funding deals for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TSA agents may face unpaid work once again. During the last period without pay, many agents called out sick, leading to disruptions at airports and hours-long wait times at security lines.Still, efforts to secure other sources of funding remain stalled. Senate Republicans voted this week to approve $70 billion to fund only ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The bill still requires approval from the House. Previously, the Senate also passed a separate bill to fully fund DHS, including TSA and FEMA, but House Republicans have refused to bring it to a vote until progress is made on funding ICE and CBP. The House is currently out of session, leaving uncertainty about whether the ICE and Border Patrol funding bill will be considered as progress. More clarity may emerge when lawmakers return on Monday.Watch the latest on the DHS shutdown:
Emergency funds keeping TSA workers paid during the partial government shutdown are running out, raising concerns about a shutdown repeat filled with potential airport delays and long security wait times.
Friday reportedly marked the last full paycheck for TSA workers using $10 billion of emergency money authorized by President Donald Trump last month.
Advertisement
This week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the money from the fund would run out as early as May.
With no permanent funding deals for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TSA agents may face unpaid work once again. During the last period without pay, many agents called out sick, leading to disruptions at airports and hours-long wait times at security lines.
Still, efforts to secure other sources of funding remain stalled. Senate Republicans voted this week to approve $70 billion to fund only ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The bill still requires approval from the House.
Previously, the Senate also passed a separate bill to fully fund DHS, including TSA and FEMA, but House Republicans have refused to bring it to a vote until progress is made on funding ICE and CBP.
The House is currently out of session, leaving uncertainty about whether the ICE and Border Patrol funding bill will be considered as progress. More clarity may emerge when lawmakers return on Monday.
Watch the latest on the DHS shutdown:
