Trending Now - U.S. Airports Face Shutdown Amid Funding Standoff and TSA Crisis

WHO:

President Trump administration officials

Acting Deputy Transportation Security Administration Administrator Adam Stahl

House Speaker Mike Johnson

Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Democratic Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper

WHAT:

Airports nationwide may be forced to close due to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security officers have been working without pay for the last month.

366 TSA workers have quit amid the partial shutdown.

Callout rates for TSA workers have spiked over 50% in Houston and over 30% in Atlanta and New Orleans.

Travelers are experiencing security wait times of three to four hours at some airports.

Some airports have closed security checkpoints and are raising funds to support TSA workers.

WHERE:

Airports across the United States, including Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, and major hubs in Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

WHEN:

The partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

The shutdown has lasted for 31 days as of March 17, 2026.

TSA workers missed their first full paycheck on March 3, 2026.

WHY:

The shutdown is due to disagreements in Congress regarding DHS funding and immigration enforcement policies.

The “undue financial pressure” on TSA workers has led to increased callouts and resignations.

HOW:

TSA workers are working without pay, leading to financial strain and increased absenteeism.

Airports are asking travelers to donate grocery store and gas gift cards to support TSA employees.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:30 UTC)

Today, President Trump administration officials, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl, are warning that airports nationwide may face closures due to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has now lasted 31 days. With 50,000 TSA security officers working without pay and experiencing significant absenteeism, travelers are facing security wait times of three to four hours at major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In response to the financial strain on TSA workers, some airports are raising funds and asking travelers to donate grocery store and gas gift cards to support them during this challenging time.