The partial US government shutdown has become the longest in American history, as lawmakers in Washington continue to fight over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On Sunday, the shutdown reached 44 days, surpassing the previous longest funding lapse, which ended in November 2025.
The current impasse has led to chaos at airports, due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints as they go without pay cheques. White House border czar Tom Homan stated on Sunday TSA agents should begin receiving pay early next week after President Trump signed an order attempting to free up cash.
However, it is uncertain whether Trump's executive order will face legal challenges, as the US constitution requires Congress to authorize federal spending. Trump, while on Air Force One Sunday evening, reiterated his readiness to pay TSA agents but urged Congress to quickly enact a funding bill.
Even after the crisis is resolved and funding for TSA is restored, ICE agents currently assisting at airports will remain until officials deem operations are back to normal. Yet, a resolution to the quarrel between Democrats and Republicans over the DHS budget appears distant as Congress remains on a two-week break without a settlement.
Last week's efforts resulted in failed agreements to reopen DHS, which has been closed since February 14. The Senate passed a compromise deal to partially fund DHS, aiming to alleviate airport travel difficulties, but House Republicans rejected it.
Security personnel are in limbo due to the funding impasse, pushing some TSA officers to resign, resulting in significant delays noted across social media, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming World Cup. On Friday alone, over 3,560 TSA officers were absent from work due to the shutdown, comprising 12.35% of the agency's total workforce.
The current impasse has led to chaos at airports, due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints as they go without pay cheques. White House border czar Tom Homan stated on Sunday TSA agents should begin receiving pay early next week after President Trump signed an order attempting to free up cash.
However, it is uncertain whether Trump's executive order will face legal challenges, as the US constitution requires Congress to authorize federal spending. Trump, while on Air Force One Sunday evening, reiterated his readiness to pay TSA agents but urged Congress to quickly enact a funding bill.
Even after the crisis is resolved and funding for TSA is restored, ICE agents currently assisting at airports will remain until officials deem operations are back to normal. Yet, a resolution to the quarrel between Democrats and Republicans over the DHS budget appears distant as Congress remains on a two-week break without a settlement.
Last week's efforts resulted in failed agreements to reopen DHS, which has been closed since February 14. The Senate passed a compromise deal to partially fund DHS, aiming to alleviate airport travel difficulties, but House Republicans rejected it.
Security personnel are in limbo due to the funding impasse, pushing some TSA officers to resign, resulting in significant delays noted across social media, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming World Cup. On Friday alone, over 3,560 TSA officers were absent from work due to the shutdown, comprising 12.35% of the agency's total workforce.
