HOUSTON – Airport delays and long security lines are continuing in Houston and across the country, but a temporary fix could be on the way for unpaid Transportation Security Administration workers.
President Donald Trump has signed an emergency executive order intended to get TSA agents paid during the ongoing federal shutdown, as lawmakers remain at a standstill over Department of Homeland Security funding.
The move could mean agents receive pay as soon as next week on Monday, though travelers shouldn’t expect an immediate improvement at airport checkpoints.
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, passengers told KPRC 2 News reporter T.J. Parker they support getting agents back on the job, but many said the situation has already tested their patience as wait times stretch on.
“They [Congress] need to work this out soon. This is madness,” one traveler said.
“It is what it is,” another said. “It’s a bad situation, but we just got to make the best of it.”
The Senate has approved a plan to fund TSA and other DHS agencies, but the House has not agreed, keeping the shutdown in place. TSA agents have now gone more than a month without pay, and that’s contributing to more call-outs and fewer staff members available to run security lanes.
Trump’s order is aimed at temporarily paying TSA workers in hopes of reducing staffing shortages and shortening lines. Even so, experts say the impact won’t be instant, since staffing levels and operations may take time to stabilize.
“We’re thankful that whoever is here, they’re doing their job,” one traveler said.
For now, airport officials and travel experts continue to urge passengers to plan ahead. If you’re flying in the coming days, arrive earlier than usual and be prepared for longer-than-normal waits at security.