The White House turned down a proposal from billionaire Elon Musk to cover the wages of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers during a partial government shutdown, CBS News reported on Wednesday.

Trump administration officials reportedly reviewed the suggestion but decided against it, citing expectations that the shutdown would conclude shortly.

Legal concerns regarding the billionaire’s various government contracts also played a role in the rejection, as direct or indirect funding of federal pay could face challenges.

“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel,” Musk said earlier, noting that the funding crisis is “negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans” at airports.

TSA personnel are currently working without full pay as a funding impasse in Congress continues to disrupt airport operations nationwide. Congress has not yet passed a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, constraining TSA payroll.

The funding lapse, which began Feb. 14, has disrupted multiple agencies under the DHS. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began to deploy to US airports to tackle the problems. (AA)