Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill warned lawmakers that ongoing funding instability and a partial government shutdown are severely straining airport security operations nationwide.

Testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee, McNeill said TSA has been operating without stable funding for roughly half of fiscal 2026, with about 95% of its 61,000 employees required to work without pay.

She cautioned that the agency is “being forced to consolidate,” signaling that some regional airports could face closures if conditions worsen. TSA has already accumulated nearly $1 billion in unpaid payroll as officers struggle to meet basic living expenses.

McNeill described mounting hardship among TSA personnel, with reports of officers sleeping in their cars, working multiple jobs, or relying on public assistance. The strain has led to significant staffing losses, with roughly 460 officers leaving since February, following more than 1,100 departures during last year’s shutdown.

Absenteeism has also surged, with call-out rates rising from 4% to 11% nationwide and exceeding 40% at certain airports. At the same time, passenger traffic has increased by about 5% during the busy spring travel season, compounding the operational challenges.

The result has been sharply reduced screening capacity and major delays, with wait times reportedly exceeding 4.5 hours at some airports. Officials warn the situation could deteriorate further ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June, which is expected to drive another spike in travel demand.

McNeill noted that even if funding is restored soon, newly hired officers would not be fully trained in time to ease the strain during peak travel periods.

The testimony highlights broader disruptions tied to the Department of Homeland Security funding impasse, with TSA operations continuing as critical infrastructure despite the lack of pay. Airlines and airport officials have raised concerns that prolonged uncertainty could impact both service reliability and security.

Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, though disagreements over federal spending remain unresolved. McNeill urged Congress to act quickly, warning that continued delays risk further instability in the nation’s air travel system.