Trending Now - Lawmakers Express Concerns Over DHS Shutdown Affecting Airports

WHO:

President Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Neil Bradley (U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive vice president and chief policy officer).

Over 260,000 employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees.

WHAT:

A government shutdown affecting DHS began on February 14th, 2026.

The shutdown has resulted in long TSA wait times at airports, with some lines exceeding three hours.

Over 300 TSA officers have quit, and TSA agent absences have nearly doubled.

Senate Democrats are withholding support for DHS funding until reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are made.

The Senate has failed twice to pass a DHS funding bill.

DHS has been blamed for causing hours-long security lines at airports.

WHERE:

Major airports affected include Houston, JFK in New York City, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh.

The Senate floor in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

The shutdown began on February 14th, 2026.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on March 11th, 2026.

The shutdown has lasted 26 days as of March 11th, 2026.

The longest federal shutdown in U.S. history occurred last year, lasting 43 days from October 1st, 2025, to November 12th, 2025.

WHY:

The shutdown is due to a lack of agreement between Senate Democrats and Republicans on funding for DHS, particularly regarding ICE and Border Patrol.

Democrats demand reforms to ICE following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in January 2026.

HOW:

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that negotiations have been rebuffed by Democrats.

Democrats proposed funding all of DHS except for ICE and Customs and Border Protection, which Republicans objected to.

Republicans proposed a two-week funding measure for DHS, which Democrats also objected to.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 05:24 UTC)

A government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, which began on February 14, has led to significant delays at major airports, with some TSA lines exceeding three hours. Over 300 TSA officers have quit during this time, and Senate Democrats are withholding support for DHS funding until reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement are made, resulting in failed attempts to pass a funding bill. The Senate is scheduled to vote again today, but negotiations have stalled as both parties remain at an impasse over the funding issues.