House lawmakers are weighing whether to approve emergency funding for Transportation Security Administration workers and most Homeland Security departments following the Senate’s unanimous approval of the measure in the early hours of Friday. The funding package excludes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement but places no additional restrictions on immigration enforcement activities, which have continued operating throughout the government funding lapse.
An end to the 42-day budget standoff may be in sight as airport security workers prepare to miss yet another paycheck today.
Before the Senate approved the legislation, President Donald Trump indicated he would issue a separate directive to immediately compensate TSA workers, though no such order has been executed.
In a Friday letter, American Federation of Government Employees President Everett B. Kelley warned that airport security officers, Coast Guard civilian personnel, and Federal Emergency Management Agency staff all risk losing their third straight paycheck without congressional action.
Kelley urged lawmakers to “please end the longest partial government shutdown” that has impacted Department of Homeland Security workers for 42 days.
“The House can demonstrate its bipartisan support of the hardworking professionals of DHS who serve the public with dedication, respect, and excellence,” Kelley wrote.
The nation’s largest pilots union is pressing Congress to approve compensation for TSA officers before legislators depart Washington for their spring break beginning next week.
Air Line Pilots Association President Capt. Jason Ambrosi emphasized that security officers who continue reporting for duty deserve payment.
“They are expected to show up every day to keep America’s skies safe and secure. These dedicated professionals will see their second zero dollar paycheck today. They are still worrying about mortgages, childcare, keeping the lights on, yet they keep coming to work without being paid,” Ambrosi said.
Nearly two dozen Republican lawmakers, including Freedom Caucus members, announced Friday they would not support the funding bill unless it covers the entire department along with meeting other conditions. Their stance could complicate House efforts to quickly approve the measure.
“This deal is bad for America. It’s bad for Americans,” said Rep. Andy Harris, Freedom Caucus chair.
Conservative opposition may force Republican leadership to seek Democratic votes to pass the legislation, a strategy they typically avoid.
The Department of Homeland Security reports it is sending TSA National Deployment Force members and security personnel from other Texas airports to Houston, where approximately 40% of scheduled TSA officers have been absent this week.
DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis stated late Thursday that Houston travelers have been “experiencing some of the worst wait times in TSA history.”
The personnel shortage has particularly affected Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where officials cautioned that security line waits could exceed four hours again Friday.
Airport website updates indicated 32 officers from the National Deployment Force, which provides backup to understaffed airports nationwide, were already assisting with opening additional security checkpoints at George Bush International.
Vanessa Maturana, traveling Friday from Atlanta to Chicago where extended security lines have delayed passengers for hours this week, believes Congress should approve TSA funding.
“They just need to pay the guys,” Maturana said. “Just get them their salary on time and do what they need to do.”
Orlando Ashford, flying from Atlanta to Washington, agreed that a solution was needed “as soon as possible.”
“To have to sit in lines that literally wrap around the building and outside, it’s inefficient,” said Ashford, who arrived at the Atlanta airport 3½ hours before his flight. “So hopefully they get this fixed soon.”
Security lines at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport stretched through the main terminal Friday morning and extended onto the outdoor sidewalk, continuing the pattern from previous days.
The extended wait times left travelers frustrated.
Arthur Tsebetzis, returning to West Palm Beach, Florida, described the passenger backup as “an absolute nightmare.”
“I don’t blame all the airports, but this one here is absolutely an abomination,” Tsebetzis said while navigating the lengthy check-in line. “It’s looping around, down the street into the parking.” He called the political standoff over TSA agent funding “idiotic.”
“It’s a political pawn,” Tsebetzis said, “and the people are paying the price.”
Speaker Mike Johnson indicated the House approach to the Homeland Security funding legislation remains undecided.
“We’re going to have some meetings this morning and figure out what the will is like,” Johnson told reporters.
The funding disruption has caused travel delays and prompted warnings of potential airport closures as unpaid TSA workers stop reporting for duty.
Several airports are experiencing TSA worker absence rates exceeding 40%, and nearly 500 of the agency’s approximately 50,000 transportation security officers have resigned during the shutdown. Nationally on Wednesday, more than 11% of scheduled TSA employees missed work, totaling over 3,120 absences according to DHS.
Thursday saw Senate Majority Leader Thune announce he had presented a “last and final” proposal to Democrats, but progress stalled as the day continued.
Democrats contended that Republican proposals insufficiently restrict officers from ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies conducting immigration operations, particularly following two American deaths during protests against these actions in Minneapolis.
Democratic lawmakers want federal agents to display identification, remove face coverings, and avoid conducting operations near schools, churches, and other sensitive locations. Democrats have demanded judicial approval before agents search homes or private property — a requirement new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has indicated he would consider.
Trump had largely delegated the matter to Congress but warned of potential action, threatening National Guard deployment to airports alongside ICE agents currently verifying traveler identification.
Should the House approve and the President sign the Senate package into law, Trump’s announced TSA payment action might prove temporary or unnecessary.
Senators worked overnight on the agreement funding most remaining department operations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, and TSA, while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding. The package funded Customs operations but not Border Protection.
The legislation imposes no additional immigration enforcement limitations, which have continued largely unaffected by the shutdown. Trump’s tax reduction legislation from last year directed billions in additional DHS funding, including $75 billion for ICE operations, ensuring immigration officers receive payment despite the funding gap.
House proceedings remain uncertain, where Speaker Mike Johnson maintains a narrow majority. Approval will likely require bipartisan cooperation as lawmakers from both political extremes object.
Conservative Republicans have criticized their party’s proposals, insisting on complete immigration operations funding. Many have committed to securing ICE resources in future budget legislation to support Trump’s immigration agenda.
The Senate’s early Friday morning approval of Homeland Security funding covers Transportation Security Administration agents and most other agencies but excludes immigration enforcement operations central to the budget dispute that has disrupted airports, affected travel, and created financial difficulties for workers.
The unanimously approved deal, passed without a recorded vote, now advances to the House for expected Friday consideration.
With mounting pressure to resolve the 42-day Department of Homeland Security funding standoff, the resolution emerged in final hours before TSA workers miss another Friday paycheck. President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an order for immediate TSA agent payment, stating his intent to quickly end the “Chaos at the Airports.” The agreement excluded all restrictions Democrats sought to limit Trump’s mass deportation initiatives.
