WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA workers using available funds. The action came on Sunday as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security reached its 44th day.

The Department of Homeland Security shutdown began on February 14 and is the longest partial U.S. government shutdown in history. The shutdown has caused a shortage of TSA officers at airport security checkpoints, resulting in long security lines.

Due to not receiving paychecks, some TSA officers have quit their jobs, and others have called in sick or not shown up for work. According to the Department of Homeland Security, about 500 TSA officers have quit during the funding lapse. On Friday, more than 3,560 TSA officers called out of work, accounting for 12.35% of the agency's total workforce, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Pay them [TSA agents] for as long as we need to," said President Donald Trump. White House border czar Tom Homan said, "We need to secure those airports." Homan also said, "ICE is there to help our brothers and sisters in TSA" and "We'll be there as long as they need us."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are stationed at airports to help the Transportation Security Administration with travel disruptions. ICE agents have continued to receive pay during the shutdown because they are funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law last year.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that TSA workers would start receiving paychecks as early as Monday.

On Friday, lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security. The bipartisan Senate bill excluded Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

House Republicans rejected the Senate's bill to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security. House Republicans voted to approve a short-term measure to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate has repeatedly tried and failed to advance an identical Department of Homeland Security funding bill since the shutdown began due to falling short of the required 60-vote threshold. The U.S. Senate requires a 60-vote threshold to advance legislation.

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to be out of session until April 13, 2026. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to be out of session until April 14, 2026.