TSA employees who worked without pay to receive bonus checks, Noem says

(CNN) - On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced some TSA employees would receive a $10,000 bonus check.

She said the employees “stepped up every single day” and “served with exemplary service” through the federal government shutdown.

Noem handed out what she said were bonus checks to nearly two dozen TSA employees at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

She said more employees would be receiving the checks.

Noem didn’t elaborate on the specific qualifications for TSA agents to get the bonus or say how many employees would receive the checks.

The Department of Homeland Security was contacted for more details, including how the bonuses will be funded.