WATCH: TSA says nearly 10% of its officers called out sick Tuesday
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Nearly 10% of TSA officers called out sick Tuesday during a partial government shutdown, risking airport closures.
How This Affects You
If small airports close due to TSA staffing shortages, you may face flight cancellations or longer delays when traveling by air during the shutdown.
AI Summary
The Transportation Security Administration reported that nearly 10% of its officers called out sick Tuesday, forcing the agency to warn that some small airports could be forced to shut down due to staffing shortages during the partial government shutdown. TSA screeners are among federal employees working without pay during the shutdown, which has created strain on the agency's operations. The potential airport closures would disrupt air travel and represent a tangible consequence of the funding lapse on the traveling public. The warning underscores how workforce absences at critical infrastructure agencies can quickly cascade into service disruptions even at smaller hubs, which typically operate with tighter staffing margins than major airports.
What's Being Done
The TSA warned that some small airports could be forced to shut down due to staffing shortages.
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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.
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 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>
PoliticsUS airports ask for donations for unpaid TSA staff amid partial government shutdown
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Government TransparencyHow to monitor airport security lines at US airports while TSA officers go without pay - AP News
PoliticsTSA officers are the latest aviation workers to be used as ‘political pawns.’ They just want the shutdown to end - CNN
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans
<p>Admission came during questioning at Senate intelligence committee worldwide threats hearing</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/fbi">Federal Bureau of Investigation</a> has started buying location data on Americans, FBI director Kash Patel said under oath at the Senate intelligence committee worldwide threats hearing on Wednesday.</p><p>Patel’s admission came in response to a question from the senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwiUVUJmGjs&t=105s">a longtime opponent</a> of the warrantless surveillance of Americans. Wyden told Patel that his predecessor, Christopher Wray, testified in 2023 that the FBI did not at that time purchase location data derived from internet advertising, although he acknowledged that it had done so in the past.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/18/kash-patel-fbi-location-data">Continue reading...</a>
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