President Trump announced on Thursday he will sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents and hopefully relieve congestion at the nation’s largest airports.
In a lengthy Truth Social post where he savaged Democrats for their role in refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security, Trump said he would see that the agents are paid.
“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!” Trump said.
“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. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it!,” he wrote.
His announcement came as Republicans and Democrats struggle to meet a weekend deadline to fund the department and as Transportation Security Administration employees faced a second month without a paycheck.
Under the National Emergency Act, the president could order unspent government funds to be used to temporarily pay TSA employees – a move that would bypass Congress.
Republicans have the majority in the Senate but lack the 60 votes needed to advance DHS funding in the legislative process.
Democrats have blocked funding for the department for the past month while trying to tighten rules on immigration enforcement tactics.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Thursday he was giving Democrats his “final” offer. His proposal would fund all of DHS except the part of ICE that handles enforcement and removal operations, a move he hoped would appease Democratic objections.
TSA workers have been calling in sick to protest the lack of pay. As a result, long lines at security checkin have caused backups at many airports.
Pressure is mounting for a solution as millions of Americans prepare to travel for spring break, as well as the Easter and Passover holidays.
