The current chaos engulfing airports as TSA absences spike across the United States will look like ‘child’s play’ if a partial government shutdown isn’t quickly brought to an end, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Thursday.
Talking on CNBC, Duffy also warned that small airports might need to shutter, travelers will be forced to endure extensive lines to get through TSA checkpoints, and air travel could come to an almost complete stop.
The AIRPORT LINES you’re seeing now are CHILD’S PLAY compared to what you will see next week if TSA misses another PAYCHECK!@SenSchumer and the DEMS’ DHS Shutdown could cause a GRINDING HALT for travelers✋
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 19, 2026
📺 My discussion with @SquawkCNBC ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LK4edJfUGv
Duffy’s warning that some smaller airports might have to shut if the government shutdown continues for much longer echoes similar comments made by TSA acting deputy Adam Stahl during an interview with Fox & Friends earlier this week.
The shutdown has been prompted by a disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over a massive funding package for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes the TSA.
Without an appropriations package secured, frontline TSA workers have gone without pay since February 14. Although workers did receive one partial paycheck, they have already endured one missed paycheck, and the next blank payment date is fast approaching.
As the shutdown drags on, more and more TSA officers are calling out, leading to massive lines to clear security checkpoints.
On Wednesday, the TSA reported that the average callout rate across the country was nearing 10%, although the numbers are a lot higher at some airports. On Tuesday, the callout rate at New Orleans International Airport hit nearly 36%, while more than 40% of TSA officers at Houston Hobby International Airport failed to show up for work on March 17.
Other badly hit airports include New York JFK, Atlanta Hartsfield, and Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday, President Trump lashed out at Democrats, accusing them of being “unreasonable in their Radical Left asks.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump added: They are FULLY TO BLAME, and must pay a big price, for the good of our Country, in the Midterm Elections.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer rejected those accusations, saying Democrats have tried four times to pass an appropriations package for the TSA. The funding deal that has unanimous Democrat consent is, however, tied to securing changes in other parts of DHS.
Houston Hobby Airport has previously urged passengers to turn up at the airport up to five hours ahead of their scheduled departure time to make sure they don’t miss their flight because TSA lines could be so long.
In some cases, waiting times are stretching up to three hours.
Airports and airlines are scrambling to provide additional support to the thousands of unpaid TSA workers in an attempt to keep them showing up for their shifts. Some airports are setting up food banks or handing out food stamps, providing free public transit vouchers, and giving away free meals at airport concessions.
Earlier this month, Denver International Airport even urged passengers to drop off grocery store and gas station gift cards at special collection f points dotted throughout the airport in order to help out TSA officers.
