The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been in a state of shutdown since February 14, 2026, marking the longest funding lapse for a single federal department in US history. As of April 13, 2026, the agency has been unfunded for over eight weeks, creating widespread uncertainty regarding pay for its employees.
During this shutdown, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have been working without pay, which has resulted in significant staffing shortages and travel chaos at major US airports. Reports indicate that nearly 500 TSA officers have quit, contributing to an absentee rate exceeding 10% nationally.
President Trump has ordered temporary payments for DHS workers, but these payments could be disrupted if Congress does not restore funding. The Senate has passed a bipartisan plan to fund most of DHS; however, House Republicans have rejected it, leading to a funding impasse.
Victoria Barton, a representative from FEMA, expressed concern, stating, “We are crippling our disaster response and recovery abilities by the day.” The impacts of the shutdown have been particularly pronounced at US airports, where longer TSA security lines have been reported due to staffing shortages.
As the situation stands, House GOP leaders have not scheduled a vote to reopen DHS, leaving the agency in a state of limbo. Federal law guarantees back pay once appropriations are enacted, but the timeline for a House vote remains uncertain.
Trump emphasized the need for funding, asserting, “Reconciliation is ON TRACK, and we are moving FAST and FOCUSED in keeping our Border SECURE, and getting funding to the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department to continue our incredible SUCCESS at MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!” Meanwhile, House Democrats have been criticized for their role in the stalemate, with Hakeem Jeffries stating, “House Democrats have chosen to hold the country hostage.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding how long the emergency funding for TSA can last before resources are exhausted. If Congress does not act to pass DHS funding, money used to sustain partial pay and operations could run out, leading to more furloughs and missed paychecks.
