Overview
- Senators fell short Wednesday in a 54–46 vote on a GOP bill that would fund TSA and most of Homeland Security but exclude ICE deportation operations, leaving the shutdown in place.
- TSA leaders report about 11% of scheduled officers are calling out, more than 480 have quit, and some airports face localized absences above 40%, prompting warnings that smaller fields could close.
- ICE personnel began supporting airports Monday in non-screening roles such as exit-lane monitoring and crowd control, and President Trump said he may call up the National Guard if needed.
- ICE and Customs and Border Protection continue to pay their staff because last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” created a funding stream that insulates those agencies from shutdowns, unlike TSA.
- Unpaid officers describe sleeping in cars and selling plasma to get by, and TSA warns attrition could worsen staffing for summer travel and the World Cup unless Congress restores funding soon.