Historic Partial US Government Shutdown Hits New Milestone

Mon Mar 30 2026 12:58:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After 44 days and counting, the partial shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history, causing significant disruptions across the country, particularly in airport security.

The partial government shutdown in the U.S. has stretched to 44 days, marking the longest lapse in government funding in history. The ongoing dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has resulted in substantial delays at airports due to a shortage of TSA officers, many of whom are not receiving pay. Despite efforts by President Trump to mitigate the impacts, including an executive order to release funds, legal challenges loom. With Congress currently in recess, the resolution remains uncertain.

The partial US government shutdown has become the longest in American history, as lawmakers in Washington continue to fight over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

On Sunday, the shutdown reached 44 days, surpassing the previous longest funding lapse, which ended in November 2025.

The current impasse has led to chaos at airports, due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at security checkpoints as they go without pay cheques.

White House border czar Tom Homan said on Sunday TSA agents should start receiving pay early next week after President Trump signed an order attempting to free up cash.

It is unclear, though, whether Trump's executive order will face legal challenges, as the US constitution tasks Congress with authorising spending for the federal government.

Trump, while on Air Force One on Sunday evening, told reporters that he was prepared to pay them [TSA agents] for as long as we need to but urged Congress to pass a funding bill.

Homan also noted that even after the shutdown ended and funding for TSA was restored, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents currently deployed to airports across the country to help with travel disruptions would remain until the airports feel like they are 100%.

But there does not appear to be an end in sight in the feud between Republicans and Democrats over funding for the DHS, as both parties have shown resistance to compromising on immigration policies.

The Senate last week passed a compromise deal that would partially fund the DHS, but it was rejected by House Republicans. As a result, TSA officers are facing unprecedented challenges as 12.35% of their total workforce called out of work last Friday due to the shutdown, further escalating security delays at airports.