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On Sunday, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, unveiled a plan for a $1 billion upgrade to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) equipment across the nation, alongside awarding $10,000 bonuses to a select group of employees.
During an event at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota, Noem acknowledged the dedication of TSA employees during the recent 43-day federal government shutdown, which concluded earlier this month.
“What we witnessed during that period was extraordinary,” Noem remarked. “We saw individuals committed to their purpose of serving others, showing up for work despite the challenges—sometimes taking on additional shifts and responsibilities—yet ensuring public safety and maintaining high security standards.”
Speaking at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota, Noem praised TSA workers for their dedication during the recent 43-day federal government shutdown, which ended earlier this month. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Noem explained that the $10,000 bonuses were meant to honor those employees who demonstrated exceptional dedication and effort during the shutdown.
“We have $10,000 bonus payments that we will be paying to each of the individuals behind us — recognizing that they are examples,” Noem said. “… We will continue to work to train every single individual under the department to do and to serve, such as they did during this last challenging and difficult time.”
The secretary also announced a $1 billion TSA modernization initiative to strengthen airport safety and allow TSA workers to do their jobs “well, accurately, efficiently.”
Travelers make their way through a TSA security checkpoint at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Nov. 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
“We will be putting over $1 billion into new scanning equipment, new X-ray equipment, [Advanced Imaging Technology] equipment,” she said. “… It’s been over a decade, maybe 15 years, since the department has put this kind of resources into new technologies to keep our transportation system secure, so that will be coming and being deployed over the next many months.”
Noem first announced the TSA investment a day earlier during remarks at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, saying the funds would go toward “new technology and advancements in security systems,” according to the Washington Examiner.
On Thursday, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford announced that hundreds of air traffic controllers and technicians who worked during the government shutdown would receive bonus checks.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a news conference at Harry Reid International Airport, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)
The Department of Transportation (DOT) said in a statement that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians would be awarded $10,000 for their “patriotic work.”
“These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown,” Duffy said in a statement. “Democrats may not care about their financial well-being, but President Trump does.”
DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.