Overview
- TSA says PreCheck continues, but courtesy escorts are suspended and checkpoints may be prioritized if unpaid officers seek other jobs.
- A senior administration official says budget rules prevent repurposing DHS accounts to pay workers, making a congressional deal the only path to pay.
- The lapse stems from Democratic demands for new limits and oversight on ICE after deadly incidents in Minneapolis, even as ICE remains funded through 2029 under last year’s law.
- FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is projected to fall below $5 billion within weeks and long‑term recovery reimbursements have been paused, prompting warnings about disaster response strain.
- No major travel delays have been reported, but lawmakers caution prolonged nonpayment could trigger airport slowdowns and broader local economic effects.