President Donald Trump has derailed a bipartisan Senate proposal aimed at immediately resuming pay for approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, according to Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). The rejection comes as a month-long partial government shutdown pushes U.S. aviation security to a breaking point.
The Rejected Compromise
The proposed deal, spearheaded by Kennedy and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), sought to decouple broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding from the contentious debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Kennedy-Cruz plan utilized a two-step legislative maneuver:
- Step One: Fund the majority of DHS immediately to restore pay for essential airport screeners.
- Step Two: Address ICE funding through the budget reconciliation process, allowing Republicans to pass their preferred measures with a simple majority, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
“We could have had TSA paid by the end of the week, but the president said no deals,” Kennedy told Fox News on Monday. “He said no. No deals with the Democrats.”
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Trump Demands “Save America Act”
President Trump confirmed his opposition via Truth Social, conditioning any funding agreement on the passage of the “Save America Act.” This legislation would implement strict proof-of-citizenship requirements for voters and a federal ban on mail-in ballots.
Trump characterized the bipartisan proposal as a “disguised” concession to Democrats, whom he accused of trying to cut ICE funding. He urged Senate Republicans to remain in Washington through the Easter holiday to force a vote on his legislative priorities.
Operational Chaos at U.S. Airports
The financial strain on federal workers has triggered a mounting operational crisis. According to DHS data, nearly 12% of the national TSA workforce called out this past Sunday. Regional impacts are even more severe:
- JFK International (NY) & BWI (Maryland): Call-out rates neared 40%.
- Resignations: More than 400 agents have officially resigned since the shutdown began.
- Safety Delays: Staffing shortages reportedly hindered investigators reaching the scene of a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport on March 22.
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In response to the labor shortage, the White House has ordered the deployment of ICE officers to assist at security checkpoints. The President also indicated on Monday that he would mobilize the National Guard to maintain airport operations if the deadlock continues.
Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis warned that thousands of workers can no longer afford the fuel or childcare necessary to report for duty. For now, screeners remain categorized as “essential,” requiring them to work without pay while the political stalemate in Washington enters its second month.
