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Airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown
Chief executives from major US airlines have called on lawmakers to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), warning that the ongoing government shutdown is disrupting air travel and leaving security workers unpaid.
Funding lapse hits airport security
The DHS, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has been without funding since mid-February after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement. American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue are among the carriers that signed a joint letter to lawmakers, describing air travel as a "political football" in the dispute.
"First, leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they need to act so this problem never happens again."
Joint letter from airline CEOs
TSA workers miss paychecks amid staff shortages
TSA employees, classified as essential workers, missed their first full paycheck on Friday but are required to continue working. The CEOs warned that unpaid staff are struggling to cover basic expenses, with some unable to "put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent."
The Department of Homeland Security reported that over 300 TSA workers have resigned since the shutdown began, while call-out rates have more than doubled, according to CBS News. The staffing shortage, combined with severe weather and spring break travel, led to significant delays over the weekend.
Airports report long queues and appeals for donations
Wait times exceeded 100 minutes at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, while Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airports also saw lengthy lines. Austin's airport advised passengers to arrive 2.5 hours before domestic flights due to ongoing delays.
Denver, Seattle-Tacoma, and Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport have launched appeals for donations or gift cards to support unpaid TSA workers. Antoinette Wade, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1047, which represents TSA staff across 13 Louisiana and Mississippi airports, called the situation "inexcusable."
Political standoff over immigration reforms
The shutdown began on February 14 after Democrats refused to fund the DHS without restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), another agency under the department's jurisdiction. ICE remains operational due to prior funding, but Democrats are demanding reforms following the deaths of two Minneapolis residents during protests against immigration raids in January.
Their proposals include banning ICE agents from wearing face masks, improving officer identification, and tightening warrant requirements. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, urged TSA workers to "go to work" in a Truth Social post, pledging, "I promise that I will never forget you!!!".
What's next
Lawmakers face increasing pressure to resolve the funding impasse as travel disruptions worsen. The CEOs' letter also called for legislation to guarantee air traffic controllers' pay regardless of future government shutdowns.
