Congress Faces Pressure to End Funding Shutdown Amid Travel Disruptions

Missed paychecks, airport delays, and warnings of closures mount as lawmakers struggle to resolve immigration enforcement issues.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 2:25pm

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Pressure is mounting on Congress to end the funding shutdown that's resulted in travel disruptions, missed paychecks and even warnings of airport closures, but lawmakers have yet to resolve the underlying issue of reining in President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement operations.

Why it matters

The funding shutdown has had significant impacts on transportation security and the livelihoods of TSA workers, raising concerns about potential airport closures if more employees refuse to work without pay. The dispute also highlights the broader political tensions over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

The details

Senators are expected to vote Thursday on a Republican proposal that would fund the Transportation Security Administration and much of the Department of Homeland Security, except the enforcement and removal operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, Democrats argue the GOP plan does not go far enough at putting guardrails on ICE, Customs and Border Protection and other federal officers engaged in the Trump administration's immigration sweeps.

  • The 41-day stalemate has put the livelihoods of TSA officers at risk as they provide airport security without pay.
  • Congress is set to leave town by the end of the week for its spring break recess.

The players

Donald Trump

The Republican president has largely stayed out of the public debate over the path his party should take to end the standoff, though he has criticized Democrats for refusing to settle their demands on immigration changes.

Ha Nguyen McNeill

The acting TSA administrator who testified about the multiple hardships facing unpaid TSA workers and warned of potential airport closures if more employees refuse to come to work.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic leader who said Democrats need to see real changes, noting they've been talking about ICE reforms from day one.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Homeland Security secretary who has replaced Kristi Noem, according to Republicans.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader who said that if Democrats put a 'more realistic offer on the table, we'll be back in business.'

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What they’re saying

“This is a dire situation.”

— Ha Nguyen McNeill, Acting TSA Administrator

“We've been talking about ICE reforms from day one.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader

“They know this is crazy.”

— Mike Johnson, Republican Congressman

“If Democrats put a 'more realistic offer on the table, we'll be back in business.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader

What’s next

The Senate is expected to vote on the Republican proposal to fund the TSA and most of DHS on Thursday, but it is expected to fail. Congress is set to leave town by the end of the week for its spring break recess, increasing pressure to resolve the standoff.

The takeaway

The funding shutdown has had significant real-world impacts on transportation security and the livelihoods of TSA workers, underscoring the need for Congress to find a bipartisan solution that addresses the underlying political tensions over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.