GOP senators support Trump’s TSA pay move amid ongoing DHS funding stalemate in Congress

WASHINGTON, DC:  President Donald Trump said he will sign an executive order to ensure TSA officers are paid immediately, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to face disruption during the shutdown.

The decision drew support from Republicans in the Senate, including John Barrasso and Lindsey Graham, as many TSA workers have gone weeks without salaries due to a funding stalemate in Congress. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, March 26, Trump said he will direct DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to ensure TSA staff are paid quickly and to help reduce airport disruptions.

GOP Senators praise Trump for 'showing leadership' over TSA pay move

Republican senators have voiced support for Trump’s decision to ensure TSA workers are paid, as negotiations between both parties continue to stall. Senator Barrasso said Trump is “doing absolutely the right thing” after the president announced plans on Thursday evening to sign an executive order.

Speaking at the Capitol, Barrasso said the president was “showing leadership” at a time when discussions over funding the DHS have made no progress.

Democrats are insisting on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before they agree to fund the department, but talks have not yet reached a solution. “They’re going to repurpose funds,” the Wyoming politician further said. “He knows how to do that.”

Senator Graham also backed the move, writing on X, "Couldn't agree more, Mr President. Well done. You’re saving the country a lot of heartache and danger."

In another post, the South Carolina politician wrote, "Again, I very much appreciate President Trump’s decisive leadership to get TSA back to full capacity and to end the debacle created by the Democrats’ resistance. I also appreciate @LeaderJohnThune working hard to find a path forward."

"It cannot be stressed enough that Democrats voted against their own deal when they found out @POTUS agreed. This is sad and dangerous. It needs to end," he added.  

Trump orders Markwayne Mullin to 'quickly stop the Democrat chaos at airports'

Trump said he plans to sign an executive order to ensure TSA officers receive pay during the ongoing shutdown affecting the DHS.

"The Radical Left Democrats, and their 'Leader,' Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, have made it very clear where they stand, and that is, ON THE SIDE OF CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, AND NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. They are refusing to fund Immigration Enforcement unless the Republicans agree to their Open Border Policies, which will never, ever happen again," the president vowed in a Truth Social post.

"They almost destroyed our Country, allowing 25 Million People to enter from Prisons, Mental Institutions, and Insane Asylums, those that are D**g Dealers, and thousands of Murderers, many of whom killed more than one person. Because the Democrats have recklessly created a true National Crisis, I am using my authorities under the Law to protect our Great Country, as I always will do!" he added. 

"Therefore, I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports," Trump shared.

"It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it! I want to thank our hardworking TSA Agents and also, ICE, for the incredible help they have given us at the Airports. I will not allow the Radical Left Democrats to hold our Country hostage any longer," the Republican leader stressed. 

 The shutdown has now lasted 41 days, causing long lines and delays at airport security checkpoints across the country.