WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch When Will Congress Finally Pass Funding for TSA's Airport Screeners?
Mar 23, 2026
Airports face growing screening chaos as funding and staffing for TSA remain stalled. A large, leaked $200 billion defense supplemental and its implications for munitions and the industrial base are debated. Proposals to use ICE at airports and political bargaining over funding and policy riders complicate the path to a congressional deal.
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Personal Travel Chaos From TSA Callouts
- Kim Strassel was stranded for two days in Chicago because of missed flights during the TSA staffing crisis.
- She reported 3,250 officers called out on Saturday (≈12% absence) with some airports near 50% call-out rates, highlighting operational collapse.
TSA Strain Could Split Moderate Democrats
- The TSA crisis is creating both political and security pressure that could force moderate Democrats to break with their party.
- Kim expects a handful of Democrats like Angus King or Maggie Hassan may cross over before Congress leaves for a two-week break.
Use ICE Only As Temporary Triage Not Screening Fix
- Deploying ICE agents to airports is a short-term staffing workaround not a technical fix for screening operations.
- Kate Batchelder-Odell notes ICE lacks training for X-ray work, so they'd fill lesser roles while core TSA capabilities remain compromised.