ATLANTA — As the partial government shutdown drags on, travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport could soon face the return of nightmare security lines if Department of Homeland Security funding dries up in early May.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned this week that emergency funding rerouted by executive order is nearly exhausted. “That money is dried up,” Mullin said in a Fox News interview. “If I continue down this path, the first week of May.”
Past TSA Chaos at ATL Still Fresh in Travelers’ Minds
During earlier stages of the shutdown, unpaid TSA officers began calling out in large numbers, leaving skeleton crews at checkpoints nationwide.
That made TSA wait times in Atlanta explode in length.
At the world’s busiest airport, security lines stretched for hours. Passengers missed flights as they waited to clear identity checks and bag screenings. Federal ICE agents were enlisted.
Local leaders responded by stepping in where they could.
Atlanta officials voted to help prevent utility shutoffs for affected TSA workers’ homes, and the issue has become a hot topic in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race.
In late March, ICE agents were even pulled in to support operations at Hartsfield-Jackson, with some paid ICE officers scanning IDs while unpaid TSA staff ran the scanners.
Are TSA Officers Getting Paid Now?
President Trump signed an executive order on March 27 directing funds to TSA to cover compensation. Officers began receiving paychecks afterward, but many still haven’t received full backpay for earlier unpaid work during the shutdown.
Privatization Talk Gains Traction
TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill recently told Congress that moving toward privatization could shield officers’ pay from political gridlock.
Airports that have experimented with private screening reportedly avoided the worst lines seen at places like ATL.
“TSA has been shut down for 109 days — nearly 60% of FY26,” she said. “Our workforce and operations cannot depend on predictable Congressional funding.”
Privatization was also part of Project 2025 recommendations.
What Happens Next?
Early Thursday, Senate Republicans passed a budget resolution along party lines that could pave the way for a reconciliation package next month to reopen DHS and boost immigration enforcement. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul joined Democrats in opposing it.
Hartsfield-Jackson travelers: Check your airline apps for real-time security wait times, arrive extra early, and consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you don’t already have them. Airport officials will provide updates as the situation develops.
This story will be updated as Congress acts — or fails to act — on funding. Safe travels, Atlanta.
