TSA: Extended government shutdown could lead to longer lines at airports

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Chief David Pekoske warned Thursday that an extended government shutdown could result in travelers waiting longer to go through checkpoints at airports.

"At TSA, part of DHS, about 59,000 of the agency’s 62,000+ employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown. We expect to screen 40M passengers over the holidays and through January 2," Pekoske wrote in a post on the social platform X.

"While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports," he added.

His cautionary comment comes as two iterations of a spending package that would avert a shutdown and fund the government through March have been rejected.

Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) plan B spending bill that would have averted the Saturday government shutdown deadline.

The first bill, considered bipartisan, was unveiled by Johnson earlier this week. The legislation seemed to collapse after President-elect Trump and billionaire Elon Musk openly criticized it.

A second attempt to pass a continuing resolution was thwarted Thursday evening, with 38 Republicans rejecting the plan B legislation.

Reuters reported that without a deal, the Federal Aviation Administration would have to furlough more than 17,000 employees and stop air traffic controller training.

The TSA began preparing for the busiest traveling season yet during Thanksgiving week.

The auto club AAA expects 119.3 million people to travel 50 miles or more between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, around 3 million more than last year.