- More than 300 Transportation Security Administration workers have resigned since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown began on February 14.
- Internal TSA statistics indicate that approximately 50,000 employees are mandated to work without pay during the ongoing shutdown.
- TSA officer absence rates have surged to double-digit percentages at several major U.S. airports, including 53% at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and 21% at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- The increased absences are causing significant operational strain and leading to extensive delays for travelers, with some airports reporting wait times exceeding three hours.
- TSA employees are experiencing severe financial hardship, with some families becoming "zero-income households," and concerns are rising about future staff retention and recruitment if the shutdown continues.
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