BLACK mobile logo

united states

Partial government shutdown becomes the longest in US history

March 30, 2026

The United States is experiencing its longest government shutdown in history at 44 days, stemming from a congressional dispute over Department of Homeland Security funding. Transportation Security Administration officers working without paychecks have created severe airport disruptions, with approximately 500 agents quitting and over 3,500 calling out sick, leading to massive security line delays. President Trump issued an executive order to pay TSA agents, though its legality remains uncertain since Congress controls federal spending authority.

Who is affected

  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay (approximately 500 have quit, over 3,560 called out sick on one day)
  • Air travelers facing lengthy security delays at airports nationwide
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed to assist at airports
  • Department of Homeland Security personnel
  • Potential World Cup attendees (US co-hosting starting in June)
  • Congressional lawmakers (Republicans and Democrats)
  • President Donald Trump and his administration

What action is being taken

  • ICE agents are deployed to airports across the country to help with travel disruptions and security
  • President Trump signed an executive order attempting to provide pay to TSA agents
  • TSA officers continue working at security checkpoints despite missing paychecks
  • Border czar Tom Homan is coordinating the ICE deployment to airports

Why it matters

  • This shutdown represents the longest funding lapse in American history, creating immediate national security concerns at airports with understaffed security checkpoints. The crisis threatens America's ability to safely manage air travel and could impact the country's readiness to co-host the World Cup beginning in June. Beyond immediate travel disruptions, the impasse highlights a fundamental constitutional conflict over spending authority and represents a deepening partisan divide over immigration policy that has paralyzed essential government functions. The situation affects millions of travelers and thousands of federal workers while raising questions about the security and efficiency of critical transportation infrastructure.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC