Record-high passenger wait times at airports, but no deal yet on the 40th day of the shutdown
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The Bottom Line
Passengers face record-high airport wait times on day 40 of a government shutdown with no deal yet to end it.
How This Affects You
If you fly, expect significantly longer wait times at TSA security checkpoints with no clear end date as the shutdown continues.
AI Summary
The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration has reported that air travelers are experiencing record-high wait times at airports during the 40th day of a government shutdown. The shutdown has disrupted normal operations across federal agencies, including those responsible for airport security screening. Extended wait times at major hubs create potential bottlenecks for travelers and raise safety concerns about the screening process under strained conditions. The government remains at an impasse with no deal yet to end the shutdown, leaving no clear timeline for when operations will return to normal levels. The prolonged closure underscores the cascading effects of budget disagreements on essential public services affecting millions of travelers daily.
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Airports in some of the largest U.S. cities are reaching a breaking point as Congress shows signs of progress toward a deal to end the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. CBS News' Nicole Sganga and Taurean Small report.
Government TransparencyTSA boss warns of airport shutdowns, but no deal yet on day 40 of Homeland Security funding fight - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNUDc4U0JqMzFxNTBwb1NEd3FReVk1Zk5abVdpQW5pTjZpUGZSM0Q1TkY1QnhyblFieFI1X0lQTlhuejhmRzFhRWVQODVUVk1pQm9ucTNsQ1NXTm1ZSk41ZGNPeGZJOEVDOW5fWnNLbUlIZHVOd1BqLTJOeUZDOTA3SjY4VjhyMWg0U2dWRk00SEsyWWYwZmZELW9lczJCZV9UZ08xdll6NA?oc=5" target="_blank">TSA boss warns of airport shutdowns, but no deal yet on day 40 of Homeland Security funding fight</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyTSA official: Airport security problem ‘going to get worse before it gets better’
A senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official warned Thursday that the growing backlog at airport security checkpoints nationwide is likely “going to get worse before it gets better” as staffing becomes more strained as a result of the lingering Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told NewsNation host Blake…
Government TransparencyTravelers face Friday rush and unpredictable airport wait times as TSA officers go unpaid - CNN
PoliticsUS Republicans weigh deal to reopen most of DHS but not ICE deportations
<p>The homeland security shutdown has snarled airport lines and halted pay for some, even as lawmakers negotiate a deal</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/24/us-politics-latest-news-donald-trump-ice-airport-midterms-donald-trump-marco-rubio">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email</a></p></li></ul><p>Republican senators are considering a bipartisan deal to restore funding to most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would initially exclude money for arrests and deportations of undocumented <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/usimmigration">immigrants</a>, according to media reports.</p><p>Und...
Government TransparencyUS official warns small airports could soon shut down over TSA absences - Reuters
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