Homeland Security Secretary Warns DHS Running Out of Money to Pay Airport Workers

Currently, Transportation Security Administration workers are being paid through an emergency fund.

Then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin testifies during his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 18, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will run out of funding to pay federal airport security officers in the coming weeks if no congressional deal is made, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on April 21.

President Donald Trump in late March told DHS to use its emergency funds to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers who had gone without paychecks ​for several weeks because of a partial shutdown of the department, causing airport disruptions across the country.