TSA union president 'grateful' officers will get paychecks, says other DHS workers must be paid too

WASHINGTON, DC: The union leader for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers said he is glad they will finally get paid. But he said it is still not clear what will happen to other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workers who are still waiting for their pay.

Everett Kelly said these workers and their families cannot keep waiting. He said all DHS workers should be paid as soon as possible. He also asked Congress to work together and pass a funding plan that keeps the DHS running and makes sure all workers are paid, even if it means giving up their vacation time.

Airline Industry leader supports payment for TSA workers

Chris Sununu, former Governor of New Hampshire and now CEO of Airlines for America, praised Trump’s decision to ensure TSA workers are paid during the DHS shutdown.

He said, "We are grateful to President Trump and Secretary Mullin for implementing a solution to pay tens of thousands of dedicated TSA officers for the important job they do, serving with professionalism on the frontlines of our nation's aviation system, despite not receiving pay for more than 40 days."

Speaking to CBS News, Sununu also said that even if an agreement is reached quickly, payments could still take time to arrive. He said, "even if they cut a deal right now, the vote's not going to happen until the weekend, you're still going to see that backpay doesn't come in maybe until late next week or early even the following week, because it just doesn't happen that fast. But it's very, very real for these families and these individuals."

Trump moves to restore pay for TSA officers

Trump said on Thursday, March 26, he plans to sign an executive order to restart pay for TSA officers. Many of these workers have not received a full paycheck for over a month. He did not explain what legal power he would use for this decision. TSA workers have not been paid because funding for the DHS stopped in February. It is still unclear if the president has another legal way to pay them.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "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 also said his order would tell Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who recently took office, to begin payments "immediately." He added, "It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!"