WATCH: Airports experience delays as TSA workers go another week without pay
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TSA workers entering sixth week without pay during government shutdown, causing significant airport security delays nationwide.
How This Affects You
If you fly, expect longer security lines and delayed departures as unpaid TSA staff operate at reduced efficiency. Processing times have lengthened considerably at multiple airports.
AI Summary
TSA workers are entering their sixth week without paychecks as the partial government shutdown persists, forcing airport security checkpoints to operate with unpaid staff and creating significant delays for air travelers. The shutdown, now in its 36th day, has left thousands of federal employees working without compensation while Congress and the White House remain deadlocked on budget negotiations. Passenger processing times have lengthened considerably, with some airports reporting backed-up security lines as staffing pressures mount. The extended shutdown threatens to further strain airport operations and could accelerate calls for a resolution, as both traveler frustration and worker hardship intensify. Federal employees typically continue working during shutdowns with the promise of back pay, but the prolonged nature of this closure has raised concerns about worker retention and service reliability.
What's Being Done
No specific congressional action or resolution deadline mentioned; shutdown negotiations remain deadlocked between Congress and White House.
Source Coverage Map
11 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Trump threatens to send ICE agents to US airports unless DHS deal reached

Trump threatens to send ICE agents to airports amid TSA funding impasse
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyOver a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown
Travelers continue to face long lines at airports with no end to the partial government shutdown in sight. Atlanta was one of three major U.S. airports on Tuesday where more than one-third of TSA officers called out of work. In Philadelphia, flyers found three of six TSA checkpoints closed on Wednesday. Skyler Henry reports.
Government TransparencyWATCH: TSA says nearly 10% of its officers called out sick Tuesday
The TSA is warning some small airports might need to shut down due to staffing shortages because of the partial government shutdown.
PoliticsStorms cancel more US flights as TSA remains under pressure from partial government shutdown - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxNaTJUZ2c1b212a21qMW1reW5XUjVBOVVTcjJ5VS04RG9kMVZSTnBSRVV6X1dTbzRiVXYzM1lFbFF0amJCWXlxSHVTbXN6cmpJWjdEZlh1NzhqTVVFTGZwU292T3BNV240eW5XTzdBZVRvZndObGhXUDFNUFRCYXBlSUhwNjJ0aXJGUXkxQUR6UkRsVWprN3h6YnZ1RVVvWmhydElqR0NwbXk?oc=5" target="_blank">Storms cancel more US flights as TSA remains under pressure from partial government shutdown</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyUS official warns small airports could soon shut down over TSA absences - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxNb2FCNzlvSWZ1RVZYd1Z3UVVlaHFrbXQ2VEYwRlJ1bTA0R2JpV0JqNVNzazNBVl9pYVAyU0tCWkdvdTQwRUtVMkpKaDZCeHpSNFBiQTRFbWF5OGRHU1VCYy1Jak9fVk5CcUNneE1PdDZUV1RqeXdhWVlNc1ZIX0xoOGoyWnExNkMycUtTUE1tZjZxdl82LUJXV1dHQ0J0d3lzWkhSM18yN0ktWkczVnpCVEVPOHZHTDg?oc=5" target="_blank">US official warns small airports could soon shut down over TSA absences</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
CorporateFuel spikes, flight delays and storms threaten US spring break travel
<p>Record 171 million passengers are expected to fly this spring, even as TSA funding lapse risks longer airport lines</p><p>Spring breakers in the US could see their long-awaited trips to party destinations disrupted by a trifecta of issues: airport security delays, high <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gas">gas</a> prices, and chaotic weather.</p><p>The potential for flight delays comes as US airlines expect that they will see a record-shattering spring travel season. Airlines for America, an aviation industry group, <a href="https://www.airlines.org/news-update/u-s-airlines-prepare-for-record-number-of-passengers-this-spring-amid-government-shutdown/">said </a>that 171 million passengers are expected to fly – a 4% increase from the 2025 spring travel period.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/spring-break-flights-travel-iran-war">Continue reading...</a>
PoliticsTSA officers are the latest aviation workers to be used as ‘political pawns.’ They just want the shutdown to end - CNN

IRS glitch masked $51m in political donations, finance watchdog says
<p>Exclusive: Error in second half of 2025 came after IRS saw over a quarter of its workforce reduced after huge cuts by Doge</p><p>A technical glitch at the understaffed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is masking millions of dollars in campaign contributions to state-level election groups, including key governor and attorney general races, a campaign finance watchdog has told the Guardian.</p><p>A total of $51m for the second half of 2025 remains unaccounted for due to this technical error, according to the <a href="https://www.politicalaccountability.net/">Center for Political Accountability</a> (CPA), a non-profit that tracks corporate spending.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/irs-error-political-donations">Continue reading...</a>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo

Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com

TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say

Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit

White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive





