The White House has issued a stark warning that funds for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel will soon be depleted, potentially leading to widespread airport disruptions and national security risks. In a memo to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget emphasized the urgency of resolving the funding lapse, which has left the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its longest-ever shutdown.
Funding Shortfall Looms
President Trump previously authorized executive actions to sustain TSA paychecks, but those funds are expected to run out by May. With salaries costing $1.6 billion every two weeks, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has confirmed the department is nearing financial exhaustion. Over 1,000 TSA officers have already quit since the shutdown began, according to Airlines for America, further straining operations.
'The urgency to provide predictable and stable funding for TSA is growing stronger by the day,' stated Airlines for America, calling on Congress to act swiftly.
House Gridlock Deepens
The House remains gridlocked due to internal Republican disputes, delaying action on a Senate-approved budget resolution needed to restore DHS funding. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces mounting pressure to break the impasse, but progress has stalled as lawmakers debate immigration enforcement funding. Republicans are pursuing a strategy to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol independently, bypassing Democratic opposition.
Meanwhile, bipartisan support exists for legislation funding other DHS agencies, including TSA and the Coast Guard. However, the complex process of drafting and passing the final funding bill could take weeks, leaving TSA workers and airport operations in limbo.