TSA Shutdown: Airport Security Lines Lengthen as Workers Miss Paychecks

Long security lines are building at airports across the United States as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees work without full paychecks amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. The lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began in mid-February, and TSA workers missed their first full paycheck on March 15th.

CNN is tracking wait times at 16 major airports, including those in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, though the tracking site used by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was unavailable as of March 22nd.

The shutdown stems from a political standoff on Capitol Hill over President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. Democrats are refusing to support any funding bill for DHS that does not include significant changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing concerns over the agency’s operations. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey stated, “I think Republicans need to pay TSA workers. This chaos is Donald Trump and congressional Republicans who are doing nothing to pay these very loyal government workers.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts echoed those sentiments, criticizing ICE’s tactics and arguing they are not contributing to improved airport security. “ICE being able to wear masks, to be able to pull people out of their cars and throw them to the ground, to be able to gas little babies and to be able to shoot people in broad daylight with no accountability. That is not helping reduce lines at the airport,” she said.

The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as homeland security secretary late Monday, approving President Trump’s nominee to lead the embattled department following the firing of Kristi Noem. This confirmation occurred as the TSA standoff deepened, but it has not yet resolved the funding impasse.

The TSA was created in the wake of the September 11th attacks to strengthen the nation’s transportation systems. The agency now screens 100 percent of all passengers traveling into, out of, and within the United States through its Secure Flight program. TSA employs a layered, risk-based approach to security, working with stakeholders across various transportation sectors and law enforcement agencies.

A top official warned Tuesday that the U.S. Could soon be forced to shutter some airports if the shutdown continues, though no specific airports have been identified. As of Tuesday, both parties remain unmoved in their positions, threatening to prolong the shutdown for days or weeks.