Dems’ DHS shutdown causes massive Spring Break travel snafu at airports

As Democrats continue their grandstanding over funding the Department of Homeland Security, passengers are paying the price at airports, where hours-long lines snarled travel over the weekend.

Homeland Security put the blame squarely on Democrats, accusing them of holding Spring Break travel “hostage for political points” due to the partisan battle over a spending bill that has led to the partial shutdown of DHS.

“Travelers reported waits stretching as long as four hours at major hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Houston as staffing shortages hit security checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),” the Daily Mail reported. “The partial shutdown entered its third week since funding lapsed on February 14, 2026, and has left about 50,000 TSA screeners working without pay, spiking absences and creating massive lines at airports nationwide.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s official account on X blasted “Reckless” Democrats for playing politics.

“Americans across the country are now feeling the fallout from the RECKLESS Democrat shutdown of DHS,” the post read. “Today, travelers are facing TSA lines up to NEARLY 3 HOURS LONG at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel.”

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“This chaos is a direct result of Democrats and their refusal to fund DHS. Their political stunt is forcing patriotic TSA officers to work without pay — leading to financial hardship, absences, and crippling staffing shortages,” the DHS post continued.  “Enough is enough: stop holding national security and everyday Americans hostage. Democrats must fund DHS NOW.”

“Americans are now missing their flights because of the Democrats shutdown of DHS. Their political stunt is forcing patriotic TSA officers to work without pay – leading to financial hardship, absences, and crippling staffing,” the Transportation Security Administration account posted on X.

Staff at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in New Orleans said “that at peak times, more than 2,000 people were in line, and there is still a lot of congestion,” according to WDSU.

“The line has spanned all the way from the parking garage, across the main level airline ticket counter area, and then down to the second-floor TSA check-in,” the outlet reported.

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Frieda Powers

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