Passenger wait times at security checkpoints in some U.S. airports have stretched to as long as 3 hours on Sunday, due to increased absenteeism among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees and the overlap with the spring break travel season, a result of a Democratic-led shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Houston's Hobby Airport reported wait times of up to 3.5 hours at one point, according to Reuters.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport stated on Sunday, "Due to staffing shortages at TSA security checkpoints, wait times are longer than usual. Passengers scheduled to fly today should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their departure."

The TSA also reported longer-than-usual lines at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The Department of Homeland Security's budget expired on February 13th, as Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats.

This has halted funding for several government agencies, including the TSA, leaving approximately 50,000 TSA airport security screeners working without pay.

The Department of Homeland Security stated on Sunday that "travelers at some major airports are experiencing wait times of up to three hours at TSA security checkpoints, leading to missed flights or significant delays during peak travel periods."

The Department of Homeland Security criticized Congressional Democrats for refusing to agree to restore the department's funding, stating that "TSA employees will now face financial hardship, absenteeism, and severe staffing shortages for the first time without receiving their full salaries."

Last week, organizations representing major U.S. airlines and travel companies warned that the operational shutdown could disrupt spring break travel.

Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, projected that this spring travel season would see a record number of passengers, with 171 million people expected to fly, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year.

Sununu said on Thursday, "What is concerning is that no action will be taken until we have a really dire situation, or long lines again," adding that the spring break travel season will heat up as TSA employees do not receive their paychecks starting March 13th.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, Deputy Administrator of the TSA, stated in a report to Congress last month that approximately 1,110 transportation security officers left the agency during the 43-day government shutdown in October and November, an increase of more than 25% compared to the same period in 2024.

NNP = Reporter Hong Sung-goo / Special Contribution by this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com