Passengers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint while traveling at Los Angeles International Airport in November 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
With the busy spring break travel season approaching, travel and aviation industry leaders urged Congress to end the stalemate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security before federal airport workers miss a full paycheck.
“They’re showing up. They’re doing their job, and they’re not getting paid,” said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, at a press conference. “It’s not just unfair. It’s reckless. You can’t run an industry with $3 trillion in economic impact on IOUs.”
DHS has been shut down for nearly three weeks after lawmakers failed to agree on a budget to fund the agency or on changes to immigration enforcement. Many of the Transportation Security Administration’s roughly 64,000 employees are classified as “essential” and must keep working despite the lapse in funding.
In past shutdowns, TSA officers increasingly stayed home when paychecks stopped because of financial strain. Industry leaders warn that could recur just as travel ramps up in March and April. “We’re going to see sick outs. We’re going to see screeners who love their jobs but are going to be forced to look for other jobs,” said Todd Hauptli, head of the American Association of Airport Executives. He added that TSA will try to keep lines moving but will not sacrifice safety, which could mean longer lines.
Leaders also criticized the suspension of Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that lets preapproved, low-risk travelers use expedited kiosks when returning to the U.S. “I think it’s a huge mistake when you have the most vetted, secured passengers being able to move through the system seamlessly, to shut that system down and shove everyone into a standard line,” said Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America.
DHS initially said it would also suspend PreCheck at TSA checkpoints but quickly reversed course and allowed PreCheck to resume. Freeman said there is no justification for pausing either program and that his group has urged the White House to restart Global Entry.
The industry groups launched a messaging campaign called “Pay Federal Aviation Workers.” They are urging Congress to fund DHS and to pass legislation guaranteeing that essential federal aviation employees can be paid during future government shutdowns.
The press conference took place before President Trump announced plans to replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump said he wants Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R.-Okla., to become the next DHS secretary effective at the end of March.