Airport security strained as TSA misses paychecks

Workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are expected to miss their first full paycheck on Friday as the funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security enters its fourth week.

TSA officers must still report to work without pay, raising concerns about staffing shortages and travel disruptions.

Lawmakers remain deadlocked in Congress. Democrats say they are willing to fund agencies such as TSA, but refuse to approve funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection without major reforms. Republicans reject those demands and accuse Democrats of blocking negotiations.

The shutdown, which began on February 14, is already affecting airport operations. More than 300 TSA officers have resigned since the funding lapse began, and unscheduled absences have more than doubled, according to internal agency data.

Long security lines have spread across major airports, prompting some to advise travelers to arrive up to five hours before departure.

Union reps say TSA staffing shortages could worsen now that paychecks have stopped as airlines prepare for a record spring break travel surge.

Data from the American Association of Airport Executives shows TSA workers have already spent nearly half of fiscal year 2026 working without pay due to repeated shutdowns, raising fears that more officers may quit if the stalemate continues.