Shutdown enters critical phase as TSA shortages expected to expand - Politico
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TSA staffing shortages during the shutdown could slow airport security screening nationwide.
How This Affects You
If you're flying during the shutdown, expect longer security lines at airports as TSA officers work without pay and absences increase.
AI Summary
A federal government shutdown is entering a critical phase, with the Transportation Security Administration expecting to expand staffing shortages that could affect airport security operations. TSA officers work without pay during shutdowns, creating operational strain as absences mount across airports nationwide. The expanding shortages threaten to slow security screening times and potentially disrupt travel during the shutdown's continuation. The TSA has historically experienced increased call-outs during prolonged shutdowns as employees face financial pressure. The severity of delays will depend on how long the shutdown persists and whether Congress reaches a funding agreement.
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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…
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