Story perspectives

Government Shutdown Causes TSA Delays, PreCheck Waits Hit Four Hours

3/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has disrupted Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations, causing severe security delays at airports nationwide, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Clear Secure, a biometric service, has seen sign-ups surge by 625% recently.
TSA PreCheck wait times have reached four hours as the program remains overwhelmed.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to assist TSA, while travelers brace for busy spring break travel.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government shutdown in 2013, lasting 16 days, resulted from a standoff over the Affordable Care Act, leading to the furlough of approximately 800,000 federal employees and significant disruptions in services like the TSA. The current shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, echoes this history, severely impacting TSA operations and causing wait times at airports to reach four hours, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in airport security.

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Story summary

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has disrupted Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations, causing severe security delays at airports nationwide, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Clear Secure, a biometric service, has seen sign-ups surge by 625% recently.
TSA PreCheck wait times have reached four hours as the program remains overwhelmed.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to assist TSA, while travelers brace for busy spring break travel.

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