Letter to the editor: Trump deserves credit for getting TSA agents paid

OPINION:

Thank you, Mr. President (“Trump steps in to pay TSA workers as House, Senate trade shutdown blame,” Web, March 27). That is not something that I often say, but when our commander in chief does something praiseworthy, he should get credit and recognition.

In the absence of a functioning Congress, Mr. Trump last week ordered that struggling Transportation Security Administration employees receive the money they have earned but have not received because of the lengthy partial government shutdown.

We have seen ridiculously long lines at many of our country’s airports because of agents calling out or quitting. Many of the agents, whose compensation level is not high, have resorted to working second jobs, living in their vehicles, selling their plasma and other means to enable them to feed themselves and their families. Food pantries have been set up at some airports to help them.

How can we hope to recruit competent and dedicated employees to be TSA agents when it is well known that they may not be paid?

On this issue, the president demonstrated more common sense and decency than our elected representatives and senators. He did the right thing, and I appreciate it.

OREN SPIEGLER

Peters Township, Pennsylvania