Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,
Passengers across the United States are experiencing extensive delays at airports due to the ongoing government shutdown, as confirmed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on March 8 via social media.
“Today, travelers are encountering TSA lines that stretch up to nearly 3 hours at various major airports,” stated Lauren Bis, deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at TSA, on X.
This situation has led to “missed flights and significant delays during peak travel times.”
Bis emphasized the challenges faced by TSA officers, stating, “These frontline heroes received only partial paychecks earlier this month and are now experiencing their first missed full paycheck, leading to financial difficulties, absences, and severe staffing shortages.” She urged Democrats to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to a recent travel advisory from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, shared by DHS, passengers are advised to arrive at least four to five hours before their flight departure to accommodate the lengthy TSA screening process, with wait times exceeding 180 minutes or 2.5 hours.
“Houston Airports encourages passengers to remain flexible as the government shutdown may impact security operations on a day-to-day—and even shift-to-shift—basis,” the advisory stated, recommending travelers to contact their airlines for additional assistance.
The federal shutdown, which commenced on Feb. 14, is now in its 23rd day. Staff shortages have emerged due to funding issues within DHS.
On March 5, the House of Representatives approved a bill to fund DHS, with the vote tallying 221–209, as four Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting it.
However, Senate Democrats blocked the funding bill, garnering 51 votes in favor and 45 against, falling short of the required 60 votes for the spending bill to progress.
While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, both DHS entities, are funded until 2029 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard are affected.
Democrats have presented specific demands related to ICE activities before agreeing to pass the funding bill.
These demands include restricting immigration enforcement to targeted operations, mandating judicial warrants for entering private property, ceasing what they perceive as indiscriminate arrests, verifying citizenship prior to detention, requiring clear identification of agents, and limiting operations in locations such as churches, schools, and medical facilities.
Flight Delays
As of Sunday at 9:40 p.m. ET, U.S. airports have experienced 7,233 flight delays and 673 cancellations, according to FlightAware data. On March 7, there were 9,693 delays and 1,339 cancellations.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston advised passengers via an X post to arrive early to account for TSA clearance.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, serving New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region, reported “longer-than-average lines” on March 8 due to a shortage of TSA personnel.
The airport recommended passengers arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for security screening.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport issued a cautionary message in an X post, warning of extended wait times at TSA checkpoints due to staffing limitations and residual effects from two ground stops issued Friday.
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport had previously cautioned on social media on March 5 about potential “unanticipated delays” stemming from the partial federal shutdown.
In a statement on March 8, Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, highlighted that TSA officers are facing a $0 paycheck this week, attributing significant strains across the aviation sector to the DHS shutdown.
At certain airports, TSA lines are reaching two to three-hour wait times, resulting in flight delays and passengers missing their scheduled travel plans, as noted by the CEO.
“The shutdown is causing tangible repercussions, with dedicated federal aviation workers, the airline industry, and passengers being manipulated for political gain once more. This is unacceptable and un-American,” Sununu remarked.
“We are entering the spring break travel season, with record numbers expected to take to the skies. Airlines have made preparations; now it is imperative for Congress and the administration to swiftly reach an agreement to reopen DHS and end this shutdown. America’s transportation security workforce is far too crucial to be exploited as a bargaining chip.”
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