White House Considering Direct TSA Payments Amid Shutdown

0:00On March 26, the White House is considering steps to directly pay transportation security administration officers if the Senate drags its feet on a, Department of Homeland Security Budget Deal. This partial government shutdown kicked off on February 14 and has left many federal workers in a tough spot. Tens of thousands of TSA screeners, 50,000 in all, are showing up for shifts without a paycheck, putting extra pressure on airport operations. Then why, then, body? Travelers are facing the longest security lines in the agency's history with reports of major delays and frustrated passengers and major hubs across the country. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently laid out details of this potential workaround to fellow Republican Senators during a private lunch meeting, according to sources close to the talks. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on getting these frontline workers paid soon to ease the strain before things worsen further.