House Passes Stopgap DHS Funding; Airport Chaos Persists Amid Shutdown

The partial government shutdown, now in its sixth week, continues to cripple Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations, particularly impacting airport security. Thousands of TSA agents are working without pay, leading to increased absenteeism and record-breaking security lines at airports nationwide. The House passed a stopgap funding measure, but the Senate is in recess, leaving the situation unresolved. President Trump has declared the TSA situation an emergency. The staffing crisis has reached a critical point, with some smaller airports potentially facing closure. Travelers are experiencing extreme delays, and concerns are mounting about aviation security and the broader economic impact on the travel industry. A standalone bill and executive orders have been proposed as potential solutions, but a long-term resolution remains elusive. ## Latest Update The House passed a stopgap DHS funding bill, but the Senate is in recess, leaving the department in a state of partial shutdown. Speaker Johnson criticized the Senate-passed bill, and President Trump has declared the lack of pay for TSA employees an emergency compromising national security. ## Timeline * **2026-03-22:** TSA reports record numbers of unscheduled absences as the DHS shutdown continues, leading to long wait times at major airports. * **2026-03-23:** TSA officers face their second missed paycheck, exacerbating airport delays. The Trump administration considers redeploying ICE officers to assist. * **2026-03-26:** Senator Kennedy floats a standalone bill to fund the TSA, while reports suggest President Trump may issue an executive order to pay agents. The NTSB's ability to investigate accidents is also impacted. * **2026-03-26:** President Trump instructs the DHS Secretary to find $1 billion to immediately pay TSA officers. * **2026-03-26:** Senate Republicans push the White House to declare a national emergency to pay TSA agents. * **2026-03-27:** The Senate advances a DHS funding bill, sending it to the House for a vote. * **2026-03-28:** House Republicans pass a stopgap DHS funding bill after rejecting the Senate version. * **2026-03-28:** Speaker Johnson announces a House vote on a short-term DHS funding bill, criticizing the Senate-passed version. President Trump determines the lack of pay for TSA employees constitutes a national security emergency. ## What to Watch * **Senate Action:** Monitor the Senate's response to the House's stopgap funding bill when they return from recess. Will they pass it, or will the shutdown continue? * **Executive Action:** Pay attention to whether President Trump follows through with an executive order to pay TSA agents, and the legal challenges that may arise. * **Operational Impacts:** Track airport wait times, TSA staffing levels, and potential airport closures as the shutdown persists. Consider impacts to supply chains and travel plans.