DHS funding debate continues as airport delays worsen and TSA workers go unpaid
Lawmakers in Washington are facing growing pressure to ease chaos at airports nationwide as long security lines continue amid the DHS partial shutdown
(NBC)- Lawmakers in Washington are facing growing pressure to ease chaos at airports nationwide as long security lines continue amid the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
“This morning — hope to halt the insanity at crowded airports across the country,” as frustrated travelers deal with delays and staffing shortages.
“It’s very overwhelming right now,” said one traveler in Atlanta.
President Donald Trump says he is considering a Senate Republican proposal that would restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security and reinstate pay for TSA workers.
“We’re going to take a good, hard look at it. I want to support Republicans,” Trump said.
The two-step plan would fund all DHS operations except immigration enforcement under ICE — an area Democrats say needs significant reform before receiving additional funding. Lawmakers on the left have repeatedly pushed to fund TSA and other agencies separately while negotiations continue.
“Senate Republicans have rejected it every time. I think now they may be open to it,” said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the second phase of the proposal would fully fund ICE through a separate reconciliation bill — allowing Republicans to move forward without Democratic support — while also advancing portions of the SAVE America Act, an elections bill President Trump has made a top priority.
“Don’t make any deal on anything, unless you include voter ID,” Trump said previously.
The potential shift comes as long lines and staffing shortages continue to frustrate travelers, with some airports now relying on ICE agents to help manage security lines.
“We can just pay the TSA workers and get those people to come back to do the job that they’ve been trained for,” said one traveler at Dulles Airport.
Democrats say any agreement must include meaningful changes to immigration enforcement policies.
“Bottom line, reforms must make it into law,” said Senator Patty Murray.
As negotiations continue, travelers and lawmakers alike are hoping for relief soon.
