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By Steve Mollman
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Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, reacted Saturday to billionaire Elon Musk’s offer to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers who have gone without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, calling the proposal “incredibly generous” as airport delays worsen nationwide.
Musk made the offer in an X post early Saturday, saying he would cover the paychecks as the funding impasse harms travelers across the country. Fetterman responded shortly afterward, praising the gesture while criticizing Congress for failing to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Why It Matters
The exchange comes as the partial shutdown enters another critical phase during spring break travel season, when millions of Americans are flying and airport security checkpoints are under severe strain.
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Democrats have pushed to fund the TSA and other DHS components separately from immigration agencies, while Republicans have rejected proposals that would restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The deadlock has persisted as airport disruptions intensify.
TSA officers, who are considered essential workers, have continued reporting to work without pay after DHS funding lapsed in February. Staffing shortages, sick‑outs and resignations have contributed to long security lines and delays at major airports, raising concerns about both passenger frustration and aviation security.
Fetterman’s response also highlights growing political tension inside Congress, where disagreements over immigration enforcement have stalled DHS funding despite mounting pressure from travelers, airport officials, and frontline workers.
What To Know
Last month, Fetterman broke ranks with his party by supporting the practice of ICE agents wearing masks that help conceal their identities. Democrats want to ban the practice as part of the DHS reforms it’s seeking.
Democrats have withheld support for a full funding bill for the DHS, saying they want additional guardrails in place before backing long‑term funding. Those include expanded use of body‑worn cameras, limits on enforcement actions at sensitive locations, and clearer oversight standards. Republicans and the White House argue DHS should be funded in full without separating immigration agencies from the rest of the department, warning the impasse has left TSA and other non‑immigration components operating without pay as talks continue.
A bill to restore DHS funding failed to advance in the Senate on Friday, despite support from all Republicans present and Fetterman.
Musk wrote on X on Saturday he wanted to cover TSA salaries during the funding lapse, saying the shutdown was “negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.”
Fetterman replied: “This is incredibly generous. TSA agents across the country are relying on food pantries and community donations just to get by. I remain the lone Dem to vote with my Republican colleagues to fully fund DHS and get people paid. It should never come to this point.”
It remains unclear whether Musk’s proposal could be implemented, as federal law generally restricts outside compensation for government employees and requires salaries to be paid through congressional appropriations.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he plans to introduce an alternative proposal on Saturday that would fund only the TSA, which is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at airports. However, the proposal is not expected to gain sufficient backing as lawmakers meet in a rare weekend session.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump weighed in on Saturday, writing on Truth Social that he would use ICE agents at airports if the funding impasse continues.
"If the Radical Left Democrats don’t immediately sign an agreement to let our Country, in particular, our Airports, be FREE and SAFE again, I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports."
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What People Are Saying
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on X: “Hardworking TSA agents are sleeping in their CARS to save money on gas because Democrats won’t end the SCHUMER SHUTDOWN and fund DHS! What happened to the Democrats who claimed to be the party of the WORKING CLASS?! Stop the games. Fund @DHSGov. Pay these PATRIOTS.”
Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, on CBS’ Face the Nation on March 8: “Let’s confine the ICE and CBP reform discussion just to those two agencies and fund the others. Thus far, Republicans have blocked those efforts. We want to fund TSA [Transportation Security Administration], FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency], Coast Guard and CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency].”
Senator Rick Scott, a Texas Republican, wrote on X: “Thank you, @elonmusk for stepping up to help hardworking TSA personnel while Democrats refuse to pay them. It’s heartbreaking to see these families suffer because they’re a pawn in Dems’ games.”
What Happens Next
Lawmakers face growing pressure to reach a deal as spring break travel peaks and airport delays ripple across the country. Without a funding agreement, TSA workers are set to miss additional paychecks in the coming weeks, increasing the risk of further disruptions.
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