A partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security has stretched into its 40th day, causing severe staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints and long lines for travelers nationwide. Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms and a separate elections bill demanded by President Trump. Bipartisan lawmakers proposed funding most DHS agencies except ICE, conditioning its support on operational changes.
The Department of Homeland Security has operated without full congressional funding since mid-February 2026, leaving agencies like the Transportation Security Administration unpaid and understaffed. TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil told lawmakers during a House hearing that airports face the highest wait times in history, with absences exceeding 40% at some locations and more than 480 officers having quit since the lapse began. TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl warned of long-term attrition, noting officers are resorting to extreme measures like sleeping in cars or selling blood to get by, despite promises of back pay upon resolution. An over 11% callout rate nationwide exacerbated delays on Tuesday, according to DHS figures shared with The Daily Wire. ICE agents, funded separately through a prior $75 billion allocation, have deployed to assist with non-security tasks like crowd control at airports, providing some relief, officials said. President Trump praised the ICE support in a Truth Social post and suggested calling up the National Guard if needed, blaming Democrats for prioritizing 'criminals who enter our Country illegally.' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded ICE leave airports and Republicans agree to a deal, while Sen. Jon Ossoff accused Republicans of blocking TSA funding nine times. A bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus proposal, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), seeks to fund TSA, FEMA, and others while tying ICE money to reforms including judicial warrants for entries, no masks for agents, body cameras, and restrictions near sensitive sites. However, Trump rejected deals without the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of citizenship like passports or birth certificates for voter registration. Senate Republicans eyed reconciliation to pass ICE funding and parts of the elections bill, but Sen. Mike Lee called it 'essentially impossible.' Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz adjourned a meeting after no Democrats appeared, citing quorum rules amid heightened partisan tensions.
