White House Considering Emergency Funds for TSA

0:00On March 26th, Senate Republicans are pressing the White House to use emergency powers to ensure airport security workers get paid during the ongoing. Department of Homeland Security funding standoff. The shutdown has left transportation security administration staff without checks for over a month, right as spring break travel ramps up in lines at. Checkpoints grow, White House officials are looking into tapping other funds under special authorities, but nothing is in motion yet. Earlier this week at a Cabinet meeting, President Trump warned that if the deadlock continues, the administration might have to step in with strong actions. Lawmakers on both sides are feeling the heat from frustrated travelers in eroding TSA staffing. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans offered with a call of final deal to Democrats after trying to meet their demands on policy. The impasse started in mid-February when Democrats blocked funding bills unless they include tighter controls on immigration enforcement agencies. Past shutdowns already led to over 1,110 security officers quitting late last year.

1:05Recent data shows airports screening nearly 3 million passengers on busy days this month ahead of Easter and Passover. Legal barriers make redirecting money tricky, so senators keep negotiating to avoid wider chaos at security lines nationwide.