HOUSTON \u2013 TSA workers have begun receiving paychecks after weeks without pay during the federal shutdown, a development that is already easing long lines at Houston\u2019s largest airport.<\/p>\n
Workers saw money hit their bank accounts overnight, marking the first pay since January after the shutdown began Feb. 14. Union officials said the payments are only partial, with some back pay still missing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t received all their back pay, but they have started seeing their payments,\u201d said Johnny Jones, a union leader representing TSA workers.<\/p>\n
TSA lines at Bush Airport in Houston last week (left) compared to Monday, March 30, 2026 (right). (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
The return of pay appears to be having an immediate impact at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where travelers reported significantly shorter wait times compared with last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very good. It\u2019s not as bad as it was last week,\u201d said Houston traveler Sheryl Arrah, who described waiting more than three hours to get through security days earlier. \u201cI think the lines are pretty short \u2026 five minutes or 10 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another traveler, Conor Magee of Houston, said the difference was noticeable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like there\u2019s a bunch of wait,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The delays in recent weeks were tied to widespread TSA callouts as workers went without pay during the shutdown, straining airport operations nationwide. Houston\u2019s Bush Airport experienced some of the longest wait times in the country.<\/p>\n
TSA lines at Bush Airport in Houston last week (left) compared to Monday, March 30, 2026 (right). (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
The payments come after Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum directing funds to pay TSA workers. The White House has framed the move as a temporary fix while urging Congress to take longer-term action.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president just can\u2019t keep signing presidential memorandums and proclamations every time Congress fails to do its job,\u201d said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.<\/p>\n
She added that the President is pushing lawmakers to return to Washington and pass funding to fully reopen the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n
According to union officials and the Department of Homeland Security, workers have been paid for two full pay periods, though part of an additional pay period may still be outstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the workforce is still getting back to normal. It\u2019s going to take some days,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
Travelers expressed relief that workers are finally being paid, with some questioning how long the situation lasted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everybody who works hard needs to be paid for their job,\u201d Arrah said.<\/p>\n
Still, the solution remains temporary. <\/p>\n
Congress is on recess and is not expected to address long-term funding until at least April 14, leaving uncertainty about how long the current fix will last.<\/p>\n
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