US EditionTSA officers are quitting as a funding standoff forces them to staff airports without pay
More than 350 TSA agents have quit and daily absences at airports average 10%, worsening staffing shortages amid a 35-day DHS funding lapse, officials said.
- On Saturday, March 21, 2026, the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown entered its 35th day, causing hours-long security lines and staffing shortages at airports nationwide during peak spring break travel.
- Amid a congressional funding standoff, Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay for the third time in six months, prompting hundreds of resignations since Valentine's Day.
- Nationwide, roughly 10% of TSA agents missed work this week, with localized absentee rates reaching 38% in Atlanta and 33% in Houston; at least 376 officers resigned since Valentine's Day.
- TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl warned that staffing will continue to impact operations, as travelers face checkpoint closures and risks of missing flights due to unpredictable wait times.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned conditions could worsen as Congress approaches a two-week recess on March 27, raising concerns about long-term attrition and sustainability of airport security operations.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Homeland Security funding stalemate causes unpredictable airport security lines
As lawmakers on Capitol Hill remain in a stalemate regarding funding for Homeland Security, TSA employees are working without pay, causing unpredictable security lines at airports across the country.I went to Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus to check in with travelers and get insight from travel experts on the shutdown and TSA operations. Lines have not been too bad at Metro Airport, but travel experts say that could change depending on how long…
Associated Press News
TSA officers are quitting as a funding standoff forces them to staff airports without pay
The public is experiencing the consequences of a partial U.S. government shutdown in long wait times at some airports as Transportation Security Officers take time off to manage the financial strain.
Long lines, frustrations grow at airports as DHS shutdown strains TSA staffing
Airport delays tied to the partial government shutdown aren’t going away, and may be getting worse. Several major airports are seeing long security lines, flight delays and growing frustration among travelers. Some TSA workers are calling out sick, taking other jobs, or simply quitting because of financial hardship. William Brangham discussed more with Allison Pohle of The Wall Street Journal.
TSA officers are quitting as a funding standoff forces airport screeners to work without pay
Eviction notices. Vehicle repossessions. Empty refrigerators and overdrawn bank accounts. According to union leaders and federal officials, these are among the mounting financial strains that Transportation Security Administration officers face during a government funding lapse — the third in less than six months that has required the people who conduct airport security screenings to work without pay. The public is experiencing the consequences …
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