The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stretched into its 44th day, becoming the longest funding blackout in US history.
The shutdown, which began on February 14, has now surpassed the previous record during an earlier federal funding blackout that lasted from October to mid-November.
The political deadlock is deepening
Efforts to reopen DHS suffered a major setback after House Republicans pushed through a short-term funding bill that is unlikely to pass the Senate.
The Senate previously approved a bipartisan proposal to fund most DHS operations, with the exception of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Senate math complicates the breakthrough
The Senate has repeatedly failed to pass a full funding bill because of the required 60-vote threshold.
Although Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority, they still need Democratic support. Democrats, on the other hand, are demanding tight reins on immigration enforcement before supporting any comprehensive funding measure.
Air travel disruptions are getting worse
The shutdown is increasingly affecting travelers across the United States, especially at airport security checkpoints.
Shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have led to long lines, and wait times at major airports have stretched into hours.
Thousands of TSA officers have reported sick or missed shifts, while hundreds have resigned, citing financial strain as they continue to work without pay.
Emergency payment relief for TSA
In response to the growing crisis, Donald Trump signed an executive order ordering DHS to compensate TSA workers.
Officials said overdue pay could start reaching workers as early as Monday, offering temporary relief to frontline workers.
ICE continues to operate
Unlike TSA personnel, ICE agents continued to be paid during the shutdown. Their salary is drawn from funds appropriated under a previous legislative package signed by Trump.
No immediate end in sight
Prospects for a quick resolution remain bleak. The Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until April 13, while the House is out until April 14.
With both chambers in a deadlock and positions consolidating, the DHS shutdown looks set to drag on, prolonging disruptions to critical services and increasing pressure on lawmakers to find a compromise.
