Travel Industry Pushes Congress on DHS Shutdown
With spring break approaching, major travel industry players are urging Congress to resolve the Department of Homeland Security shutdown to avoid airport and border crossing disruptions. Industry leaders warn that delays could impact security workers' pay and lead to longer lines for travelers. The shutdown threatens to disrupt the busy spring travel season just as demand peaks.
The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which began on February 14, 2026, stems from a congressional dispute over immigration enforcement policies. Senate Democrats have blocked a funding bill, insisting on new restrictions on agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. Republicans have so far rejected these demands, leading to a prolonged stalemate. On March 5, a procedural vote to advance the DHS funding bill failed in the Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed. While the House passed a funding bill the same day, the impasse continues, leaving the department's funding in limbo. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the two sides are "still far apart" in negotiations. This marks the second time in months that around 64,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. These essential employees received their last partial paycheck this week and face their first full missed paycheck around March 14, just as the peak spring travel season begins. The average salary for these officers is approximately $35,000. The travel industry is bracing for a record-breaking spring break, with U.S. airlines expecting 171 million passengers in March and April, an all-time high. Fears are growing that financial pressure on unpaid TSA staff could lead to increased sick calls, echoing a 43-day shutdown in 2025 that caused significant travel disruptions and cost the U.S. economy over $6 billion. In response, major travel organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America, launched the "Pay Federal Aviation Workers" campaign on March 5. The campaign urges the public to pressure Congress to pass legislation like the Keep America Flying Act, which would ensure essential aviation workers are paid during government shutdowns. Travelers are already feeling the effects of the shutdown. On February 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspended the Global Entry program, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved international travelers. The move, intended to preserve resources, forces all international arrivals, including the 13 million Global Entry members, into standard immigration queues. The suspension of Global Entry has been sharply criticized by industry leaders who argue it increases wait times and actually stretches personnel thinner by adding more people to standard lines. While TSA PreCheck remains operational, the agency has stated that checkpoint lanes will be evaluated on a "case by case basis" depending on staffing, creating uncertainty for even pre-vetted domestic travelers.
