DHS Shutdown enters Day 40

Washington - The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has hit a milestone of 40 days, as House Republicans officially rejected a Senate-passed funding bill. The legislative deadlock left 200,000 federal employees working without pay, pushing the agency to a breaking point. 

The impact is most visible at the nation’s airports. This is because security wait times have gone to over 4 hours in some major airports such as Chicago and Los Angeles as TSA staffing thins. A controversial decision was made by President Trump, who issued an executive action ordering the DHS to pay TSA agents despite lack of Congressional appropriations. While this aims to stabilize travel, legal experts say it may face immediate challenges in court.

Beyond the airports, the shutdown affects national security. Critics argue that the lapse in funding has left the U.S. vulnerable during a period of geopolitical tension with Iran. One union representative said, “We are asking people to defend the border and secure our skies on IOUs,”.

With both sides entrenched, the Department currently remains in a state of suspended animation, leaving the American public to navigate the fallout of a divided government. The standoff shows no signs of an early resolution.