Good evening. Lengthy security lines at airports across the United States have entered another week, straining travelers as a funding dispute keeps federal operations tied in knots.
At busy hubs including New York’s JFK, lines have grown so long that news crews were prevented from filming inside terminals. Passengers say they are arriving much earlier than usual and even bringing meals to cope with unpredictable wait times; one traveler told reporters he was “four hours early” to be safe.
The congestion traces back to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration. Thousands of TSA officers have been on duty without pay for more than six weeks. Union leaders report many have relied on food pantries and donations, and some employees have left the agency because of financial pressure. Johnny Jones, a Dallas union official and 24‑year TSA veteran, said missed paychecks and mounting late fees have damaged morale and strained health and household budgets.
President Trump signed an executive order intended to authorize pay for many federal workers, and officials said TSA checks could be issued as soon as next week. Agency leaders and lawmakers cautioned, however, that a one‑time distribution may not immediately restore staffing. After weeks of uncertainty, some officers are expected to look for other jobs, and lingering shortages could keep wait times high even after pay resumes.
Meanwhile, lawmakers remain gridlocked. Members of Congress left the Capitol for a two‑week recess without approving a spending measure to fund DHS and end the partial shutdown. Opposition from House Republicans to a Senate compromise blocked efforts to resolve the impasse before lawmakers departed. Critics say the delay forces frontline workers to bear the consequences of political conflict and leaves travelers facing continued disruption.
Ali Bauman reports from JFK Airport; Jericka Duncan contributed from the broadcast desk.