WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security funding lapse has become the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, entering its 44th day as lawmakers remain deadlocked over immigration-related funding disputes.
The shutdown, limited to DHS while the rest of the federal government remains funded, has surpassed previous records and is now impacting airport operations nationwide.
The lapse has led to significant staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration, with nearly 500 TSA officers reportedly resigning and thousands more calling out of work after missing paychecks. As a result, some airports have experienced security wait times stretching up to 4.5 hours, creating widespread travel disruptions.
Efforts to resolve the standoff have stalled. House Republicans passed a short-term funding bill last week, but Senate Democrats rejected the measure, calling it insufficient and demanding guardrails on immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, a Senate-backed proposal to fund DHS without certain immigration agencies failed to gain traction in the House.
President Donald Trump has ordered that TSA workers receive pay, with compensation expected to resume quickly, though officials warn operational challenges may continue due to staffing losses.
With Congress scheduled to recess in the coming weeks, a resolution appears unlikely in the near term, raising concerns about continued disruptions during the busy spring travel season.
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