Congress Takes Shutdown Break as TSA Wait Times Improve at Some Florida Airports

Partial government shutdown continues, with no end in sight as lawmakers head out on two-week break.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a TSA agent rushing through an airport security checkpoint, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of muted colors conveying a sense of motion and urgency.As the government shutdown drags on, the frantic pace of airport security operations is captured in a dynamic, avant-garde painting.Palm Beach Today

Airport security wait times improve just days before Easter, but the wait time Tuesday morning at one Florida airport was among the longest in the United States, just under one hour. President Trump has rerouted federal funds to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers for the first time in weeks, but the partial government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight as Congress takes a break.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown has severely impacted TSA operations, with nearly 500 officers leaving their positions and thousands more calling out sick due to lack of pay. This has led to unacceptably long security wait times at some airports, heightening the risk of security vulnerabilities in the domestic travel system and negatively impacting countless Americans. The situation highlights the need for Congress to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the disruptive cycle of government shutdowns.

The details

In a March 27 memorandum, President Trump directed federal funds "that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations" be used to pay TSA employees. As a result, TSA workers were scheduled to receive paychecks on March 30. However, the partial government shutdown continues, with lawmakers heading out on a two-week break without a resolution. The shutdown has also led to the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to some U.S. airports, including Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, to help with long wait times.

  • On March 23, ICE agents arrived at some U.S. airports to help with long wait times during the partial government shutdown.
  • On March 27, President Trump directed federal funds be used to pay TSA employees.
  • On March 30, TSA employees were scheduled to receive paychecks.

The players

President Trump

Directed federal funds to be used to pay TSA employees during the partial government shutdown.

Lauren Bis

DHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, who stated the agency would not confirm the locations of ICE officers due to "operational security reasons."

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

An airport in Fort Myers, Florida where ICE agents were seen patrolling in groups of three to five, walking in and out of concourses.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.