Transportation Secretary Warns of Worsening TSA Wait Times

Duffy says TSA agents will quit or not show up as government shutdown continues

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:12pm

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on ABC's 'This Week' that TSA wait times are 'going to get much worse' as the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues. Duffy said that as TSA agents miss paychecks, more will quit or not show up, especially in major cities where the $50,000 starting salaries make it hard to make ends meet. He urged Democrats and the president to work together on a resolution to get 'America working again' and avoid 'political fights at the airport'.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown is already impacting TSA operations, with over 10% of agents not showing up for work last week and 400 quitting since the shutdown began. Longer wait times at airports could cause major disruptions for travelers, especially during peak travel periods like spring break.

The details

According to Duffy, the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days, as more TSA agents quit or fail to show up for work without receiving paychecks. The starting salary for TSA agents, around $50,000, makes it difficult for them to make ends meet in major cities, and without pay the situation becomes untenable. Duffy called on Democrats and the president to work together on a resolution to end the shutdown and avoid further pain for travelers.

  • Last week, over 10% of TSA agents did not show up for work.
  • Since the shutdown began, 400 TSA officers have quit.

The players

Sean Duffy

The current U.S. Transportation Secretary.

TSA agents

Federal Transportation Security Administration employees responsible for airport security screenings.

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What they’re saying

“So, I think, as we look forward to Friday, that's when the next paycheck should come. And if this — if this Homeland Security funding isn't resolved, I think you're going to see more TSA agents, as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they're going to quit or they're not going to show up.”

— Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

“Democrats have to say, you know what, we're not going to defund this. We're going to actually work together, have some common sense reform that the president will work with us on. And, you know, let's get America working again. And the last thing you want as you travel is to deal with political fights at the airport. Let that stay in Congress, but don't extract pain out of me and my family as I'm trying to just go to Florida and get some sun on my bones during spring break with my kids.”

— Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

What’s next

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The takeaway

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