by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 1:20 PM ET, Tue March 17, 2026
Politicians in Washington still have not reached agreement on a funding measure to keep key government agencies running and the fallout is growing.
Reuters is reporting that some of the smaller airports throughout the United States may be forced to close over the coming weeks if the standoff between Republicans and Democrats continues.
The partial government shutdown resulting from the lack of funding has now stretched on for more than one month. And like previous shutdowns, some 50,000 Transportation Security Administration workers have had to show up for work without being paid. Thus far, about 10 percent of workers have opted not to show up for their shifts.
The stalemate over passage of a funding measure has impacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for DHS lapsed on February 13. That triggered the current partial shutdown, which is impacting Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity.
Democrats have said they will not move forward with support of a funding measure until needed reforms are made to rein in the violence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as Customs and Border Protection, after federal agents killed two Americans, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, on the streets of Minneapolis.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., one of many Democrats who have spoken out on the issue, has said that basic standards need to be imposed on immigration agents, pointing out that Americans broadly support the idea that federal agents "shouldn't be assaulting or killing Americans with impunity."
Despite the recent killing of two Americans and repeated nationwide protests, Republicans have refused to budge and add standards for ICE and CBP or reining in their operations. They have sought to pressure Democrats to relent on DHS funding, suggesting it is especially important amid the war the Trump Administration began with Iran earlier this week.
Democrats thus far have rejected the pressure, pointing out that TSA funding is not relevant to what's taking place in Iran. As an alternative option, Democrats have said they are willing to fund DHS agencies that do not t deal with immigration enforcement in the United States.
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a House Democratic appropriator, introduced a measure several weeks ago that could have resolved the standoff if the Republicans agreed. Her measure provided continued funding for parts of DHS, including the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, FEMA and the nation's cybersecurity agency through September 30.
The partial government shutdown has had a variety of ramifications for the travel industry. In addition to causing long lines at airports, the CEOs of the nation's largest airlines just issued a call for a quick end as spring break travel is a busy season for the industry.
The government shutdown that took place under the Trump Administration last fall lasted 43 days, the longest in U.S. history, and led to significant travel disruptions.
In that case, Democrats were fighting to preserve government subsidies for healthcare for Americans, to prevent costs from skyrocketing, making healthcare unaffordable for everyday Americans.
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