By Blessing Nweke

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will sign an executive order to compensate Transportation Security Administration officers who have missed paychecks during the ongoing funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would direct newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to “immediately pay our TSA Agents” to address what he called an emergency. TSA officers missed their first full paychecks in mid-March, triggering widespread callouts. National absentee rates have surpassed 11%, with some airports reporting rates above 40%.

The staffing shortages have caused major disruptions, with security lines at certain airports stretching beyond four hours. Earlier this week, the administration deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at checkpoints. Unlike TSA workers, ICE personnel have continued receiving pay due to separate funding provisions.

On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the move as a temporary fix. “It takes the immediate pressure off, but it’s a short-term solution,” he said, noting the shutdown has dragged on for 41 days.

The Senate again failed Thursday to advance a House-passed DHS funding bill, with a 53-47 vote falling short of the 60 required. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to support the measure.

Democrats continue to oppose the bill, citing demands for changes to ICE operations following recent controversial incidents involving federal officers.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said discussions are ongoing to ease airport disruptions but emphasized that fully funding DHS remains the simplest solution.

The Senate is scheduled to begin a two-week recess Friday, though Thune said it remains unclear whether lawmakers will stay to negotiate a deal.