House Republicans Block Senate Plan to End Airport Chaos

On Friday, House Republicans rejected a Senate bid aimed at ending a budget standoff that has forced thousands of airport security staff to work without pay. The partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February, has resulted in severe delays at airports, with authorities warning travelers to arrive earlier than usual due to long security lines.

The funding dispute centers around demands from Republicans for immigration reform, particularly concerning the controversial tactics of ICE, which have faced national criticism. The Senate voted early Friday to fund the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA, except for ICE and border patrol, through 2026.

However, House Republican leaders indicated they would introduce a bill to extend funding for 60 days, a solution that appears unlikely to gain Democratic support. The ongoing political fight has led to a surge in unscheduled absences among TSA staff, exacerbating travel disruptions.

President Donald Trump stated he would not sign any funding deal unless Congress passes a contentious bill regarding citizen registration for voting in U.S. elections.