CEOs of major U.S. airlines are urging Congress to end the partial government shutdown and pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), warning that growing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint delays and flight disruptions are hitting travelers and airport operations. NBC News reported the airline leaders said bipartisan action is needed to restore pay for impacted TSA personnel and stabilize security screening.
- Who’s calling for action: Chief executives from several major U.S. airlines, speaking collectively, according to NBC News.
- What they want: Congress to end the partial shutdown and fund DHS, which includes TSA operations, NBC News reported.
- Why now: Airlines cited longer TSA security lines and flight cancellations as operational impacts during the shutdown, according to NBC News.
- Workforce issue at the center: TSA personnel were among the federal workers affected by the shutdown’s lapse in appropriations, creating staffing and morale pressures that can affect screening throughput, NBC News reported.
- What funding would do: A DHS appropriation would allow the federal government to resume paying affected TSA employees and support more predictable airport security operations, per NBC News’ reporting.
- Where travelers feel it: The most visible effects are at airport security checkpoints, where TSA staffing levels and call-outs can translate into longer wait times, NBC News reported.
Brief context: The TSA is part of DHS and relies on annual appropriations to fund pay and operations. During a shutdown affecting DHS, many TSA employees are required to report to work even when pay is delayed, increasing the risk of absenteeism and slower processing at checkpoints. Airlines told NBC News that the operational strain is now spilling over into flight schedules, with cancellations tied to the disruption and uncertainty.
For federal employees and service members traveling for duty or personal reasons, the immediate impact is practical: longer lines may require earlier airport arrival times, and schedule changes can complicate temporary duty (TDY) travel, leave plans, and connections. Employees who must travel during disruption should follow their agency travel office guidance, monitor carrier alerts, and build extra time into itineraries. (For general federal pay and shutdown policy explainers, see FedBrief: https://fedbrief.org.)
Source: NBC News (Politics), “Airlines call on Congress to end shutdown and TSA lines grow” (video) — https://www.today.com/video/airlines-call-on-congress-to-end-shutdown-and-tsa-lines-grow-259344453657