TSA paychecks ease key shutdown pressure point

Presented by PMI — Plus: Average gas price hits $4 per gallon, and U.S. carries out new strikes against Iran.

MORNING REPORT  MORNING REPORT Tuesday, March 31 | By Jared Gans View Online  |  Sign up  PRESENTED BY Listen and Subscribe: In today's issue: ▪ Trump, Iran trade new threats ▪ Average gas price hits $4 per gallon ▪ Democrats' concerns on Schumer ▪ Embassy in Caracas restarts operations © The Associated Press | Ashley Landis TSA paychecks take pressure off Congress on DHS The arrival of paychecks for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees is alleviating some pressure at airports nationally but raising new questions about the path to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. TSA agents on Monday started receiving back pay for the past few weeks while DHS has been in the midst of a funding gap. That's in accordance with a memo President Trump signed Friday to direct DHS to pay airport security workers using funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis said in a statement that most TSA employees received a retroactive paycheck Monday that included at least two full pay periods. She said some workers might experience a "slight delay" because of issues with financial institutions' processing times or with individuals' direct deposits. Trump's executive action seems to be having its intended effect, at least early on, as wait times and lines at airports across the country have started decreasing. Hours-long queues at TSA checkpoints remained at some major airports over the weekend, but the waits topping four hours that have been seen in recent weeks haven't been as common, The Hill's Sarah Fortinsky reports. Even George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, which has experienced some of the longest wait times in the country, reportedly was only dealing with lines of five to 10 minutes at noon Monday, The Washington Post reported. Other major airports similarly saw significant drops. While more time is needed to confirm that the Trump administration's move is effectively mitigating the TSA chaos, the paychecks mark the first positive news in weeks for the agency, which has been overwhelmed by spring break travelers during the shutdown. But the success of Trump's action also may mean the record-long shutdown could extend indefinitely, as it removed the strongest motivator for lawmakers to find a resolution. Democrats and Republicans faced rising pressure to end the shutdown as fears swelled over mounting security wait times and TSA agents calling out or quitting. While a broader deal to address the immigration enforcement standoff has consistently remained elusive, the pressure from the TSA situation appeared poised to yield a legislative remedy. The Senate unanimously passed a bill to fund TSA and other agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Coast Guard, before members left town for recess last week. But any lingering momentum for that bill to get to Trump's desk was quickly snuffed out when House Republicans widely denounced the legislation, maintaining their position that DHS should be funded entirely through one bill. The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports the clash illustrates the diverging political goals of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). The Senate-passed bill has enough support to pass if House Republican leaders allow it to come to the floor, but getting it there won't be easy. And with both chambers of Congress away from Washington amid an Easter recess this week and next, the battle to try to fund DHS, or at least more parts of it, has likely been punted to mid-April. Although paychecks for TSA workers may cover the agency in the short term, The Hill's Mike Lillis notes it remains uncertain how long the pay can last if the impasse in Congress stretches into the summer. Until any other legislative fix comes through, employees at other key agencies, such as FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, may need to continue working without pay with no end in sight. ▪ The Hill: Senate Republicans working on GOP-only bill to fund DHS. ▪ ABC News: Trump urging Congress to come back from recess. Smart Take  with Blake Burman Passengers across America finally experienced "normal" airport lines on Monday as many TSA agents received their first paychecks in over a month. That money came through an executive order, and many agents returned back to work once their paychecks hit. I asked former TSA Administrator John Pistole if we still could feel impacts later this summer. "The [TSA] applicant pool may just plummet, in which case it's going to be very challenging to fill those positions before the World Cup and before other things," Pistole told me. Despite the executive action, DHS is still unfunded. Downstream impacts include not being able to bring new TSA workers onto the job, which could be felt in the coming months. The president's action may reduce airport lines in the short-term, but issues are likely to remain at some of your busiest airports. Burman hosts "The Hill" weeknights, 6p/5c on NewsNation. 3 Things to Know Today The average national cost of gas surpassed $4 per gallon Tuesday as international oil prices continue to soar, according to AAA. It's the first time the average gas price has reached this threshold since 2022. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation renaming Palm Beach International Airport to "Donald J. Trump International Airport." The name change will take effect on July 1 if approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The New York Times has accused the Pentagon of violating a court order against its press policy and directing officials to reinstate press credentials to journalists kicked out of the building. LEADING THE DAY © The Associated Press | Mark Schiefelbein NEW WARNINGS: The U.S. and Iran are exchanging new warnings even as the two sides engage in some form of negotiations to try to reach a ceasefire. Trump reiterated his threats against Iran's energy infrastructure in a post on Truth Social early Monday morning. He said the U.S. is in "serious discussions" with "more reasonable" Iranian leaders to end U.S. operations in the country but warned the U.S. would go forward with his threatened attack on Iranian power plants if talks fail. "Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched,'" he said. In one of its latest attacks, the U.S. dropped 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs on a large ammunition depot in the Iranian city of Isfahan. Trump has twice pushed back a deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or else face the U.S. attacking Iran's energy infrastructure. He has said Iran has allowed some vessels to pass through the strait as talks go forward, and the current deadline is next Monday. But speculation has risen about a possible U.S. ground invasion as troop deployments ramp up in the region — prompting harsh pushback from Iran. Officials blamed Iran for an overnight strike on a Kuwaiti oil tanker carrying two million barrels of oil. The tanker was set on fire, but no injuries were reported and no oil was spilled, the BBC reported. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned any U.S. troops who enter Iranian territory would be "set on fire." Ghalibaf is one Iranian official with whom Trump has suggested the U.S. has been negotiating. The extent of the talks remains unclear, with mixed messages on their seriousness. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei denied his country has negotiated with the U.S. but said the U.S. has submitted a "negotiation request." "We have felt the previous experiences with our flesh, skin, and bones, and we do not forget the betrayal that was inflicted upon diplomacy in two instances within less than a year," Baqaei said. While Trump's latest comments don't erase the deadline for next Monday, they serve as a reminder that he may not stick to his own timeline. The U.S. launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last June before Trump's own deadline for Iran to agree to a deal. The remarks have added to the anxiety facing the global economy, causing oil prices to spike significantly higher. But Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz may remain in place, as The Wall Street Journal reported Trump told aides he's willing to end the U.S. offensive against Iran even if the waterway remains largely blocked off. The outlet reported Trump and his advisers have evaluated in recent days that any operation to reopen the strait would likely push the conflict past his original timeline of four to six weeks. Instead, the president decided the U.S. should focus on undercutting Iran's navy and missile supplies before ending the conflict and using diplomatic pressure to get Iran to reopen the strait. Military options remain a possibility but aren't Trump's top priority, officials told the outlet. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that the U.S. is still within its timeline for accomplishing its objectives in Iran as the war passes its one-month mark. "The president, commander-in-chief, and the Pentagon has always stated 4-6 weeks estimated timeline... so, you do the math on how much longer the Pentagon needs to fully achieve the objectives," she said at a press briefing Monday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will provide an updated briefing to reporters at 8 a.m. ▪ The Hill: Trump hits critical timeline marker as war rages on. ▪ The Hill: Iran calls on Saudis to 'eject U.S. forces.' GOLDEN ESCALATORS: The president and his family have shared a first look at what will eventually become Trump's presidential library and museum in Miami. Trump posted a video showcasing the project on Truth Social while Eric Trump said in a post that the building "will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known." The video illustrates the completed library, depicting a skyscraper with "Trump" emblazoned in gold at the top and a needle that lights up in red, white and blue. The entrance leads to a full-sized Air Force One along with multiple military aircraft, including a fighter jet. It shows golden-colored escalators leading to the second floor and an auditorium featuring a giant golden statue of Trump raising his right fist in the air. The museum also appears set to include a replica of the Oval Office and a ballroom. Eric Trump also shared a website for the library that encourages people to donate for the project. CEO STEPPING DOWN: The head of Air Canada plans to retire later this year in the aftermath of criticism of his condolence message following a deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport in New York earlier this month. Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Canada's largest airline, plans to leave his role by the end of the third quarter after more than two decades leading the company. He faced backlash after delivering a condolence message for last week's crash almost entirely in English despite Canada having English and French as its official languages. Air Canada is required to serve customers in both languages. In his message, Rousseau only used limited French, such as "bonjour" and "merci," which some critics said showed his lack of fluency with French and dismissed French-speaking Canadians, NewsNation reported. Those who chimed in with criticism included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the premier of Quebec. Rousseau apologized for the controversy, acknowledging his language limitations shifted attention away from the tragedy. Two pilots were killed and dozens were injured in the incident when a jet and a fire truck crashed on the runway. Air Canada's board said in a statement that the ability to communicate in French will be a qualification for Rousseau's successor. ▪ The New York Times: Before and after the frantic call to stop the crash. ATTACK INSPIRATION: The FBI said Monday that the man who crashed his truck into a major Detroit-area synagogue earlier this month was inspired by the militant group Hezbollah and sought to inflict as much damage on the Jewish community as possible. Jennifer Runyan, the head of the FBI in Detroit, said the suspect, Ayman Ghazali, made a video minutes before he crashed his vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Mich., saying he wanted to "kill as many of them as I can" in the congregation, The Associated Press reported. Ghazali's vehicle struck and injured one security guard. The suspect was killed after exchanging gunfire with another security guard. No one else was injured. The attack had the potential to cause a significant number of casualties, taking place at one of the country's largest synagogues. Runyan called the incident a "Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism" that targeted the Jewish community. She said Ghazali searched for Michigan synagogues and Jewish cultural sites a few days before the attack. Ghazali came to the U.S. more than a decade ago and was granted citizenship in 2016. Israel's military said his brother was a Hezbollah commander killed in Lebanon this month. ▪ WPXI: Six men indicted in Pittsburgh antisemitic attack. WHEN & WHERE The president will participate in executive time at 8 a.m. He will participate in policy meetings at 3 and 4 p.m. He and first lady Melania Trump will attend the opening night performance of "Chicago" at the Kennedy Center at 7:30 p.m. The House and Senate are out today. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Trump administration's efforts to overturn birthright citizenship on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CONTENT FROM OUR SPONSOR Reducing smoking among veterans starts with real solutions. Veterans should not be forgotten, and those who smoke deserve effective policies that reflect today's evidence. Learn more at uspmi.com ZOOM IN © The Associated Press | Mariam Zuhaib FRUSTRATION RISING: Democratic candidates running for Senate are increasingly signaling their dissatisfaction with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), raising questions about his future leading the party in the upper chamber. Schumer seems unlikely to face a serious challenge to his leadership post following the November elections. But The Hill's Caroline Vakil reports the question of whether Senate candidates support Schumer has become a litmus test, as several candidates, even from purple states, call for new leadership. At least one more Schumer detractor appears set to head to the Senate as Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) has been vocal about opposing the current leader's role. Stratton won the Democratic nomination for Senate in Illinois earlier this month. Progressive candidates including Maine Democrat Graham Platner and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) have also said they wouldn't support the New York Democrat as leader if elected. Schumer's reputation has particularly suffered in the past year over multiple government funding debates with the GOP. In one instance, he voted for a Republican-led funding bill, and in another, he still received pushback after a group of moderate Democrats voted for a funding bill that excluded enhanced health care subsidies despite having personally voted against it. Schumer told The Hill in a statement that he is focused on winning back control of the Senate in the midterms. "The way to counter Trump more effectively is to win the majority in 2026 and put gavels in the hands of Democrats. That's my North Star and that's what I'm focused on doing every single day," he said. But a few members of the current Democratic caucus have dodged questions about the future of Schumer's leadership, including Sens. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Andy Kim (N.J.) in the past month. ▪ The Hill: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) says Democrats have 'failed this moment.' ▪ The Hill: GOP House member calls for new Republican Senate leader. ELSEWHERE © The Associated Press | Ariana Cubillos EMBASSY RESUMES: The U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, has resumed operations in a major milestone toward renewing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the South American country. The State Department announced the move in a statement Monday, saying it would "mark a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela." The restoration of the embassy's operations is the latest development in renewing ties between the U.S. and Venezuela since the raid to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January. Maduro cut off diplomatic relations with the U.S. in 2019 after Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate leader. The U.S. has run an interim diplomatic office at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, called the Venezuela Affairs Unit since then. But the U.S. has taken a few steps to renew its ties since Maduro was removed and taken into U.S. custody to face charges of drug trafficking and narcoterrorism. Laura Dogu, a former ambassador to Nicaragua and Honduras, was sent to Caracas in January as charge d'affaires of the U.S. mission. She has been working since then to prepare for the full return of personnel and resumption of consular services. The U.S. hasn't had a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Venezuela since 2023. The U.S. and Venezuela officially reestablished diplomatic ties, and the embassy raised the U.S. flag for the first time in seven years earlier this month. ▪ The Economist: Venezuela after Maduro is land of contrasts. ASYLUM SHIFT: The Trump administration is renewing the processing of asylum applications from certain countries, a rare instance of walking back an immigration policy. The administration further froze asylum processing from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after an Afghan man carried out a shooting in November. While the shift is notable, its impact will be limited. The decision doesn't impact asylum-seekers from 39 countries covered by the president's expanded travel ban, which makes up most of the applicants. And the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries also remains paused. MOON TRIP: NASA's Artemis II mission, which will take astronauts back toward the moon for the first time in more than five decades, appears on track to go forward Wednesday evening. NASA noted the weather conditions show an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions. OPINION You can't have a religious war with an irreligious nation, The Hill's Chris Stirewalt writes. The screen between us: Smartphones and the global fertility crash, Elias Aboujaoude writes in The Hill. THE CLOSER © The Associated Press | Julia Demaree Nikhinson And finally … Second lady Usha Vance launched a podcast Monday designed to encourage young children to get more interested in reading. "The notion is we will have someone come in — a special reader, we're calling them — read a fun book, have a very short little conversation about things related to the book, maybe about their career, if they have some sort of interesting background," Vance told NBC News in an interview. "And then invite children to pick up books on their own." Vance said the podcast will target children who are in late preschool or early elementary school, and episodes will range between 10 and 15 minutes. She said teaching her own children how to read was an inspiration for starting the project. During the interview, Vance also said she doesn't see "eye to eye" with her husband, Vice President Vance, but they always try to keep an open mind with each other. "The expectation is that we are going to be open-minded and have a conversation, and that I'll provide meaningful input from, you know, the perspective of someone who loves him and wants him to succeed. So even if we don't agree, it's — I think it's always very productive," she said. Stay Engaged We want to hear from you! Email me here and suggest this newsletter to friends! Privacy Policy   |   View in Browser   |   Manage Subscriptions Sign Up for Other Newsletters   |   Unsubscribe   400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc.   |   All Rights Reserved