The partial government shutdown has now stretched on for nearly a month, as Democrats stand firm on their demands for reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While ICE is adequately funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, other critical agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), are facing budget issues, putting the nation at risk of potential attacks and causing major disruptions at airports.
On Sunday, ten CEOs from the largest airlines came together to implore Congress: enough is enough!
Today, the @washingtonpost published an open letter to Congress from 10 aviation CEOs—representing the largest U.S. passenger and cargo carriers—who stressed the importance of paying federal aviation workers, including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers and air traffic… pic.twitter.com/apeFSIW2xP
— Airlines for America (@AirlinesDotOrg) March 15, 2026
The tweet noted further:
Today, the @washingtonpost published an open letter to Congress from 10 aviation CEOs—representing the largest U.S. passenger and cargo carriers—who stressed the importance of paying federal aviation workers, including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers and air traffic controllers, during government shutdowns.
The letter pointed out that tens of thousands of TSA employees are not getting paid, putting undue and horrendous stress on their lives and their families (hundreds have reportedly quit, by the way):
The chief executive officers of major U.S. airlines urged Congress on Sunday to move quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning it could further disrupt U.S. air travel.
Absences by Transportation Security Administration officers have already disrupted travel at some major airports over the last week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues.
“Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long – and painfully slow – lines at checkpoints,” the CEOs of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways , Alaska Air and others wrote in an open letter to Congress.
Although the Democrats are attempting to frame the partial shutdown as a result of Republican intransigence, the responsibility lies entirely with them. Their unrealistic demands suggest they believe they won the House, the Senate, and the Oval Office in 2024 — when, in fact, they lost all three.
As former President Barack Obama pointedly reminded GOP lawmakers in 2009, “elections have consequences.” Instead of remembering this lesson, the Democrats are behaving like children who didn’t get their way and took their ball home. While this might normally be seen as political theater, in this case, it directly endangers Americans, especially given the multiple terror attacks we’ve experienced since U.S. operations against Iran began.
To undermine the Department of Homeland Security at this critical time over disputes regarding one specific department is a dereliction of duty. The CEOs emphasized that such gamesmanship should never occur again, particularly in relation to air travel:
“First, leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they need to act so this problem never happens again,” they added.
Last fall, a 43-day government shutdown led to widespread flight disruptions and the FAA ordered a 10% flight cut at major airports. “Once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the CEOs wrote.
3+ hour TSA lines for travelers.
300+ TSA officers who have quit.
A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve.
Enough is enough.
No more playing politics with the lives of Americans. The Democrat shutdown of DHS must end now. pic.twitter.com/VsHc71TOA9
— TSA (@TSA) March 14, 2026
Republicans need to remind voters of what Democrats are doing to the country every single day until the Nov. 3 midterms.
