This story appeared in The Logoffa daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news rule your life. Register here.
Welcome to The Logoff: The state of US aviation is improving – for now.
What is happening? TSA agents received pay today for the first time in more than a month, easing the burden of ongoing Homeland Security shutdowns and reducing long security lines at major U.S. airports.
Where does the money come from? DHS is still underfunded, but President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday directing that TSA agents be paid anyway, as airport security lines begin to reach crisis levels.
The payments covered some, but not all, of the back payments owed by agents because of the shutdown and were reportedly paid from funds appropriated for DHS under last year’s reconciliation package (Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”).
As CNN has reportedit’s unclear if that kind of one-sided funding trend is legal, but the payments are flowing regardless.
What is the context? This is the second long government shutdown that has caused the Trump administration to go around Congress to pay federal workers. Last year, during the longest shutdown, for the record, Trump directed the money of the Department of Defense to pay American soldiers. (Military pay is not affected this time, as the DOD is funded by Congress.)
what is the main picture? Monday’s payday is a big deal for the tens of thousands of TSA workers who have been without, as well as for America’s aviation system. But they are more of a Band-Aid than a permanent fix.
In particular, while we don’t know exactly where the Trump administration is getting the money for TSA payments, it won’t last forever; at some point, Congress will still need to fund TSA and the rest of DHS, with or without ICE and CBP.
There is also an underlying problem: These types of funding shortfalls are becoming more frequent. Even if Congress resolves it soon, we may be looking at another one before we know it.
And so, it’s time to leave…
My colleague Allie Volpe — arguably the unofficial patron saint of logging — is a font of good advice on living life. For his latest story, he spoke to expert, Professor Gillian Sandstrom, about how, and why, you should talk to strangers. You can read their conversation here.
Have a good evening, and we’ll see you here tomorrow!
