USA — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized Democratic lawmakers after chaos at numerous airports nationwide left passengers in security lines for hours amid a partial government shutdown. DHS stated the disruptions occurred during the peak Spring Break travel season, causing many passengers to miss their flights. According to DHS, the failure to pass a budget for the department has forced tens of thousands of airport security personnel to continue working without pay, even as lawmakers push to guarantee pay for DHS personnel. DHS funding expired on February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to reach an agreement on a new funding package involving immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats. Approximately 50.000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue to work during this period despite not receiving paychecks, while TSA forces must still maintain weapon seizures and ensure aviation security. According to DHS, staffing shortages have caused security wait times at many airports to spike, resulting in chaos with long queues at checkpoints. Passengers at major hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport faced waits of three to four hours to clear security. Some airports have advised passengers to arrive much earlier than usual. At William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, travelers were recommended to arrive 4 to 5 hours before their scheduled flights. According to the Airlines for America association, this year's spring travel season is projected to reach 171 million passengers, a 4% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a DHS funding bill through September 2026 by a vote of 221–209, but the bill failed in the Senate, receiving only 51 votes—short of the 60 required. The budget dispute involving DHS follows the Democrats' refusal to include the agency in a recent spending package, while criticizing former Secretary Kristi Noem's management. Last week, President Trump removed Kristi Noem and nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma) to serve as DHS Secretary starting March 31, 2026.

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