US government shutdown impact: The US government shutdown is hitting travellers hard. The baggage queues at some of the airports are stretching well up to five hours — thanks to a staff shortage owing to pay stoppages due to the government shutdown.Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, including security and baggage officials are having to work without pay cheques. Due to the staff shortages, over 16,000 flights have been delayed in the US due to the ongoing US government shutdown, as per news channel CNN.As per news agency Reuters, nearly 3,000 flights were delayed on Tuesday alone in Phoenix and Houston due to staffing problems in Denver, Detroit, and other places. The stoppage of payments has prompted many TSA workers to call in sick or take leaves.A video has come to the fore now, showing a massive crowd at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Some passengers reportedly had to wait up to five hours as at least two terminals had to be shut down. As per several reports, only checkpoints in Terminals A and E are open.In Houston almost all of the TSA workers decided they were sick of the crap and not getting paid so they just left! All of these people were just left there to figure things out for themselves! pic.twitter.com/iVoWgfsBzR— Suzie rizzio (@Suzierizzo1) November 4, 2025Many missed their flights due to the massive crowds.White House says ‘only going to get worse’The White House said the situation will only worsen till the govt shutdown ends. It issued a statement saying: “Americans are paying the price for Democrats’ sick political games as air travel grinds to a halt amid the Democrat-driven chaos. With essential workers like air traffic controllers and TSA agents being forced to labour without paychecks, this past weekend saw the “worst weekend” for staff since the Democrat Shutdown began — and it’s only going to get worse.”Bomb threat to United Airlines flightMatters were further compounded on Tuesday due to a bomb threat to a Houston-Washington DC United Airlines aircraft. A ground-stop order was immediately issued at the Ronald Raegan National Airport and all flights were put on hold.The United Airlines plane was then moved to an isolated area of the airport and all the 89 passengers and 6 crew members were evacuated, causing massive delays in operations at the airport.Story continues below this adWhat is the US government shutdown?In its 35th day, this is the longest government shutdown in America’s history. Despite multiple meetings, the logjam over a key funding bill remains.The United States government shut down after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement over funding federal operations beyond October 1, the date when the previous Budget expired.Under US law, the Congress must agree on a spending plan and send it to the President for approval before funds can be released. Although Republicans currently hold both chambers of Congress, they lack the 60 votes required in the Senate to push through the Bill without Democratic support.What Democrats wantDemocrats argue that any new spending measure must extend soon-to-expire tax credits that help millions of Americans afford health insurance. They are also demanding a reversal of the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicaid, the public healthcare programme for low-income, elderly, and disabled citizens, while opposing reductions to funding for federal health agencies.Story continues below this adA short-term funding bill meant to prevent the shutdown cleared the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate. As a result, the federal government on October 1 officially shut down for the first time in nearly seven years.To end the impasse, both parties must reach a deal that President Trump will sign. So far, multiple votes to reopen the government have failed.What Republicans sayRepublicans have argued for passing what they describe as a “clean resolution”, separating the health insurance subsidy issue from the spending bill. The Trump administration has maintained a stiff stance and has blamed the Democrats for the disruption.Which services have stopped in the US? Which continue business?Not every government function has been halted amid the shutdown. Essential services continue, though many employees, including airport staffers, must work without pay until operations resume.Story continues below this adBorder security officers, law enforcement agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff, and medical personnel in federal hospitals remain on duty. However, air travel has been disrupted, with flight cancellations and delays caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are also working unpaid.Thousands of federal workers deemed non-essential have been asked to go on temporary unpaid leave. The shutdown has stalled research at institutions like the National Institutes of Health and cut off work for contractors dependent on government projects.US troops were at risk of missing paychecks in mid-October. However, the Donald Trump administration has found short-term funds to cover salaries. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that this was only a “temporary fix”, and future payments are still in question.Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or “food stamps”, has also run out. This has affected 41 million Americans. However, on Monday (November 3), the Trump administration used emergency reserves to partially fund the programme till December 1.Story continues below this adSocial Security and Medicare payments continue, but tasks like benefit verification and card issuance have slowed down. Federally funded preschools and cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian museums, have been scaled back or closed entirely, as per BBC.Several national parks and monuments, such as Alcatraz Island and the interior of the Washington Monument, are also closed to avoid vandalism. Mail delivery continues uninterrupted since the US Postal Service operates independently of congressional funding.Most schools, funded by state governments, are unaffected. However, the federal suspension could delay grants and student loan disbursements. Because most grants are issued during summer, the Education Department officials expect minimal immediate impact, the BBC reported.Members of the Congress, meanwhile, continue to receive their salaries.