TSA payroll freeze sparks airport delays as DHS funding fight drags on

A partial U.S. government shutdown over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has left TSA workers unpaid, prompting absences and resignations that are causing longer airport security lines and flight delays. Congress is gridlocked between Democrats seeking immigration enforcement reforms and Republicans opposing them, delaying a DHS funding bill for months. Airlines warn the disruption could worsen during peak travel periods, as security staffing shortages escalate and airports, especially smaller ones, face strained operations amid looming travel surges for spring break and major events.