Travelers wait at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
Valerie Plesch | Bloomberg | Getty Images
A senior Trump administration official mentioned on Tuesday that if a government funding standoff continues, it may pressure the shutdown of some smaller airports within the coming weeks owing to a scarcity of safety personnel.
The partial authorities shutdown, now in its thirty first day, has forced 50,000 Transportation Security Administration airport safety officers to work with out pay for the final month, and 10% of them failed to present up for responsibility on Sunday.
“As the weeks continue, if this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports – particularly smaller ones if callout rates go up,” Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl instructed Fox News’s “Fox and Friends.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday mentioned airports “are reaching a breaking point.” The partial authorities shutdown has disrupted journey at occasions and prompted CEOs of the nation’s largest airways to name for a fast finish as spring break journey is in full swing.
Typically, underneath 2% of TSA staff name in sick or don’t report to work, DHS mentioned. At Atlanta, New York JFK and Houston, the charges for failing to present up for work have been about 20% since February 14, when funding expired.
DHS mentioned 366 TSA officers have left throughout the shutdown. On Sunday and Monday, absences spiked over 50% in Houston and greater than 30% in New Orleans and Atlanta, with vacationers typically enduring traces for 2 hours or longer.
Last fall, a 43-day authorities shutdown led to widespread flight disruptions and the FAA ordered a ten% flight lower at main airports. “Once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the CEOs wrote.
Senators from each events failed Thursday in competing efforts to fund the TSA.
DHS funding lapsed on February 13 after Congress failed to attain a deal on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats.
Airlines expect a record-breaking spring journey interval, with 171 million passengers anticipated to fly, up 4% from the identical two-month interval final 12 months.
Some airports have closed quite a few safety checkpoints and others are working to elevate cash to assist TSA staff purchase meals or different necessities as they go with out pay.
