TSA workers

NPR - Transportation Security officers started receiving their first paychecks yesterday after more than 40 days of the Department of Homeland Security being shut down. However, the partial government shutdown is not over yet and uncertainty looms about when they will receive their next paycheck. 

TSA workers still have not received the full amount they are owed, causing anxiety and concern, Johnny Jones, a union leader who represents TSA workers, tells NPR. Most security screeners have received two full paychecks they have missed, but TSA workers are still waiting to be paid for part of a third missed paycheck, DHS says. It is unclear where the funds are coming from since Congress didn’t appropriate them. Many Trump administration critics are questioning the legality of the White House taking this action. NPR’s Joel Rose says security lines at U.S. airports were much shorter yesterday, displaying good initial signs that business is getting closer to normal. However, the fallout from this event is likely not in the rearview mirror yet due to more than 500 TSA officers quitting during the shutdown, according to DHS.