TSA Agents to Get Paid, But Chaos Continues

0:00It's March 29th. You're listening to Dallas News today. AI-powered local news. The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security just hit its 44th day, marking the longest funding gap in U.S. history. TSA agents, part of that department, haven't seen a paycheck in six weeks because of a deadlock Congress over border security cash. President Trump stepped in with an executive order to get those 50,000 TSA workers paid as early as Monday or Tuesday. White House board achieved Tom Homan, called it a lifeline for agents struggling to cover rent and food, while Congress spokes chill on paid vacation. Airports are chaos, with record callouts, over 12% of officers missing shifts nationwide, some spots hitting 40%. Nearly 500 have quit since this started, leading to hours-long security lines that travelers hate. Experts like former TSA officer Caleb Harmon Marshall say one paycheck won't fix it. Agents need guarantees against future skips to return in force.

1:00ICE East agents are pitching in a checkpoints, shortening some lines, but Homan says it'll depend on turnout. Congress is on a two-week break with no clear vote date, so those airport headaches could drag another week or two until trust rebuilds and funding. Flow steady.