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Transportation Experts Say TSA Situation Could Worsen as Call-Offs Increase Amid Partial Shutdown
TSA officers called out sick at five times the normal rate Monday, risking airport closures and longer security waits amid a nearly five-week government shutdown.
- On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the ongoing partial government shutdown could force small airports to close as 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers continue working without pay.
- A congressional standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement policy caused the partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, affecting TSA operations.
- On Tuesday, 2,700 TSA officers—nearly 10% of the agency's workforce—called in sick, while Monday set a record with 10.22% of officers absent nationwide.
- Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned that if callouts increase, the agency may have to "collapse" security lanes, which could temporarily halt operations at airports with limited capacity.
- With 171 million passengers expected to fly this spring, Duffy cautioned that if the shutdown continues into next week, the government may have to shut some airports entirely.
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TSA Chaos Continues: Over 33% Of Employees Call Out Over Gov’t Shutdown, Airports Risk Closure
Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty A deepening crisis at U.S. airports is unfolding as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—driven by a bitter political standoff over immigration enforcement—continues to ripple across the country. What might have once seemed like an abstract fight in Washington has now materialized into long lines, shuttered checkpoints, and a demoralized workforce struggling to sur…
·Atlanta, United States
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US official warns small airports could soon shut over TSA absences
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Thursday that if a partial government shutdown continues, small airports could soon shut down as 50,000 airport security officers go without pay.
·New Hampshire, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center, 44% Right
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center, 44% of the sources lean Right
45% Center
11%
C 45%
R 44%
Factuality
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