Airport chaos grows as shutdown drags on and TSA staffing crisis worsens

Lawmakers remain divided over whether to restore pay for TSA workers without addressing ICE reforms.

(NBC)- Travelers across the country are facing massive delays as record-long security lines snarl operations at some of the nation’s busiest airports.

“We were at the airport for 9 hours yesterday and still didn’t make our flight,” said one traveler, describing the growing frustration.

At the center of the disruption is the ongoing government shutdown and a political standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security — which includes the Transportation Security Administration.

Lawmakers remain divided over whether to restore pay for TSA workers without addressing immigration enforcement reforms tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Donald Trump criticized Democrats over the impasse, accusing them of prolonging the crisis.

“They want to create chaos. It’s all they’re good at, creating chaos,” Trump said.

Republicans say they attempted to separate funding for immigration enforcement from broader Department of Homeland Security operations — but Democrats rejected the proposal, insisting on reforms tied to ICE policies.

Chuck Schumer said negotiations had been progressing until a recent offer failed to include previously discussed changes.

“But then Republicans sent us their offer yesterday and it contained none of what had been talked about,” Schumer said.

As negotiations stall, the impact is intensifying at airports nationwide. President Trump has suggested deploying the National Guard to assist ICE at airports in an effort to ease congestion.

Meanwhile, TSA officials warn the situation could worsen quickly.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting head of the Transportation Security Administration, told lawmakers the agency may be forced to close smaller airports if staffing shortages continue.

“We will have reached $1 billion in missed paychecks. This level of disruption is unprecedented and unacceptable and significantly undermines the security of U.S. transportation systems,” McNeill said.

The crisis extends beyond TSA. A Coast Guard admiral testified that the shutdown is already eroding readiness for major upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup, and even affecting the ability to pay for critical infrastructure.