Overview
- Homeland Security funding lapsed on Feb. 14, triggering a targeted shutdown of DHS while the rest of the government remains funded through Sept. 30 and air traffic controllers continue to be paid.
- Roughly 95% of TSA employees are designated essential and are screening passengers without pay, raising the risk of unscheduled absences, longer lines and missed or delayed flights.
- ICE and Customs and Border Protection are largely continuing operations using multi‑year funding from a 2025 law, creating uneven impacts across DHS compared with TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service.
- Travel groups including U.S. Travel, Airlines for America and the American Hotel & Lodging Association warn security bottlenecks could build into spring break, with smaller airports especially vulnerable as seen in the prior 43‑day shutdown.
- Congress is in recess until Feb. 23 with no agreement in place, though members could be called back, and industry leaders urge either swift funding or payroll protections such as the Keep America Flying Act.