More than 300 U.S. Transportation Security Administration agents have quit during the nearly month-long partial government shutdown in which they have been working without receiving paychecks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported.
The resignations, which DHS reported in a post on social media site X, have contributed to the extended security wait times at numerous U.S. airports this week amid the busy spring break travel season. Refilling those positions will take time, as agents require up to six months of training before they can work at checkpoints independently. The TSA reports its total workforce to include about 50,000 frontline airport employees.
Philadelphia International Airport reported that as of Thursday, TSA has temporarily closed its Terminal C security checkpoint, which is a TSA PreCheck-only checkpoint, and was instructing PreCheck travelers to use the PreCheck lanes in other terminals.
The current partial government shutdown has been ongoing since Feb. 14, when DHS funding ran out. Most TSA employees are considered essential workers who must report for work despite not receiving a paycheck, although they should receive back pay once the shutdown is over. HuffPost on Wednesday reported that TSA officers who call out sick during the shutdown could face discipline if they do not provide a doctor's note, per the agency's union representatives.
The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote again Thursday afternoon on a measure to fund DHS, but it is not expected to pass as Republicans and Democrats have not come to an agreement regarding immigration enforcement measures.