Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMike BediganThursday 23 April 2026 13:30 BSTDHS funding showdown impacting travelDHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has warned that the department's funds will be depleted by the first week of May, impacting over $1.6 billion in bi-weekly payroll.The current government shutdown, the longest in US history, has resulted in severe understaffing, with around 100,000 employees facing delayed pay and 500 TSA officers already having resigned.This staffing crisis has caused extensive disruptions at major airports, including prolonged security queues at JFK and Hartsfield–Jackson, leading to passengers missing international flights.Donald Trump previously authorised temporary payments for TSA and DHS staff and has since proposed privatising the TSA to prevent future shutdowns.The White House's 2027 budget suggests privatising security at smaller airports, which could eliminate over 8,000 TSA positions and save an estimated $52 million, though Democrats oppose a full DHS reopening without changes to ICE enforcement.In fullLong lines at airports could return as DHS warns it will run out of money to pay security staff within weeksThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in