The deputy administrator of the TSA warns that the effects of the shutdown will be long-lasting

FIRST ON FOX: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) leadership said airports and the agency will face “long-term” negative impacts from the current partial government shutdown, even if the spending bill is passed.

TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl sat down with Fox News Digital to explain how the agency will recover from weeks of overpayments to TSA officials, resulting in what the TSA says are the highest security wait times in the agency’s history.

“I can tell you right now that the dynamics that will be felt on this will take a long time. It will continue for many days after we get reallocations and funding, especially from the TSA department,” Stahl told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “We are already taking strong steps to ensure that we will lead our people as quickly as possible.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains underfunded after more than 40 days, leaving TSA inspectors and agents without an entire month’s pay. Calls have increased to alarming levels, and DHS says more than 480 people have left TSA staff altogether.

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Even after Congress defunds the agency, Stahl says “it will take time to pay off” the agents who have been working without pay.

“There are existing programs, financial programs that are outside the door that we rely on, to release and distribute funds, salaries to our people, but it will take time,” explained Stahl. “But we are working very quickly with our partners to ensure that once we get that money, we will hit the ground running and put it in the pockets of our people as soon as possible.”

The deputy head of the TSA also expressed concern about the return of workers to airports following the possible funding, noting that the World Cup to be held in the US this year will cause more difficulties in airport security.

Travelers experienced long wait times Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (left, center) and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (right) due to a partial government shutdown. (WVUE)

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“Last year we saw a 25% increase in revenue immediately following the first close this fiscal year,” Stahl told Fox News Digital. “We’re worried, and we’ve got the World Cup coming up with six to ten million visitors expected over the busy summer tourist season, so we could be in a tough spot for a long time.”

“It’s going to take time to adjust to pay our people,” Stahl added.

On Wednesday evening, the DHS funding process vote failed, marking the last five times that a spending bill has been voted down.

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A bill can only pass with the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster. Many Senate Democrats crossed party lines to support the department with funding, but the votes remained shy of 60.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D., speaks to reporters amid the ongoing battle with Senate Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security. (Photo by Tom Brenner/AP)

Senate Democrats insisted that a review of the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as the requirement for judicial warrants and the removal of face coverings for agents, be included in the spending bill.

Senate Republicans said if Senate Democrats want reform, they should also be willing to support ICE. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D., said Democrats are “going in circles” while TSA, FEMA and other DHS employees continue to work without pay.

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“They know better,” Thune told reporters after Wednesday evening’s vote. “They’re asking for things that have already been denied. So it looks like they’re getting around it.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., took to the Senate Floor Wednesday to address the GOP situation.

Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, Monday, March 9, 2026. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Over the weekend, Democrats had constructive conversations in person with their Republican colleagues,” Schumer said. “They, their Republican colleagues, agreed that some of the changes, in words, that we wanted, they said made sense.”

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As Congress’ gridlock continues, Stahl said the agency has halted escort services for members of Congress given its limited resources without funding.

“We took action to suspend all members of Congress’ escort services as soon as this started happening, because we feel that we should not be using the services to provide security checks, to expedite security for our members of Congress at this time,” Stahl told Fox News Digital. “We are focused on serving the American people and that is what we will continue to focus on every day.”

Last weekend, President Donald Trump sent US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to provide assistance to vulnerable workers. Agents have been seen at many airports across the country since they were deployed.

Long lines line security checkpoints at JFK Airport in New York City on Monday, March 23, 2026. ICE agents were brought in to assist TSA agents amid staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. (David Dee Delgado of Fox News Digital)

When asked how long ICE agents will remain at airports following the passage of the spending bill, Stahl said agents have eased tensions and challenges, although their operations at airports depend on how quickly TSA’s normal operations can resume.

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“Hopefully we won’t need them for long,” explained Stahl. “But again, they’ve been very helpful, and we’re very grateful for the support of the president and ICE.”

“It requires and emphasizes the importance of getting back to normal, for Senate Democrats to fund the Department, [to] fund the TSA, so we can get back to normal,” Stahl added.

News tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and X @MizellPreston