TSA agents work without pay, but past shutdowns have shown that delays and long lines are inevitable.
Impact of government shutdown on travel
If there is a potential partial government shutdown, FAA funding will not be affected, but TSA funding will.
Pessimism is growing on Capitol Hill as Congress races to finalize a deal on funding the Department of Homeland Security and avoid another government shutdown.
If lawmakers don’t act by midnight on February 13, DHS will enter a partial shutdown, disrupting the agency’s roles in border security, disaster response, travel, and more.
The impasse centers on immigration enforcement. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are pushing for stricter requirements for Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants and disclosure of the identities of agents. Senate Republicans say there is little room for compromise. Senate Republican Leader John Thune said he plans to adopt a short-term continuing resolution, but no vote has been scheduled.
If a shutdown were to occur, agencies such as ICE, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration and Coast Guard could be affected.
The standoff brings back memories of last year’s 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, when thousands of transit and security workers had to work without pay. During the shutdown, airlines were ordered to cut flight schedules by up to 10% at dozens of major airports after air traffic controllers began complaining of illness in large numbers due to multiple missed paychecks.
Democrats used government shutdown threat to spur negotiations over DHS funding
Lawmakers are at odds over government funding for DHS amid widespread discontent over the killing of Alex Preti by Border Patrol agents.
The unprecedented move comes amid heightened strain on the air traffic system and highlights how quickly groundings can ripple through the travel industry.
Is air travel affected by the government shutdown?
Not immediately, but the longer the shutdown lasts, the more the risk increases.
Federal Aviation Administration and TSA employees who perform critical safety and security functions will continue to work during the closure. However, if funding is delayed for an extended period of time, it may become difficult for workers to make ends meet financially, leading to staff shortages.
During this potential partial government shutdown, FAA funding will not be affected, but TSA funding will be affected because TSA is a branch of DHS.
“DHS’ essential missions and functions will continue throughout the closure as well. However, many employees will be working without pay during the closure, placing a strain on our nation’s front-line defenders,” the agency told USA TODAY in a statement.
Will TSA operate during a shutdown?
Yes, but the workers are not paid.
Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil warned lawmakers that about 61,000 TSA employees working at more than 430 commercial airports would have to continue working without pay if DHS funding lapses again.
During last year’s shutdown, TSA agents slept in their cars, received eviction notices, lost childcare services and sold blood and plasma to make ends meet, McNeil said.
“Some are still recovering from the economic impact of the 43-day shutdown,” he told lawmakers. “We can’t let them go through that again. It’s outrageous.”
The TSA previously warned that prolonged closures could lead to longer airport security lines as absenteeism increases. “TSA stands ready to continue screening approximately 2.5 million passengers per day, but an extended closure could result in longer wait times at airports,” the agency said in an earlier statement.
Coast Guard also warns of impact on operations
The Coast Guard, which also falls under DHS, issued a similar warning.
Lt. Gen. Thomas Allan, the acting deputy commander, told lawmakers that if the funding shortfall lasts for more than a few days, pay for about 56,000 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel will be suspended. The agency would be forced to suspend all but its most critical national security and lifesaving missions.
“Closing down is bad for morale,” Alan said. “Aviation survival technicians deploying from helicopters into dangerous ocean waters won’t have to worry about whether their families will be able to buy groceries this week.”
For travelers, the immediate impact of the closures may be subtle. But history suggests that the longer funding lapses, the more likely disruption will be inevitable, from long security lines to flight delays.
Contributor: Lori Comstock, USA TODAY Network
(This story has been updated to include video.)
