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TSA wait times at Houston's Bush Airport could exceed 4 hours, officials say
Houston's Bush Airport is warning travelers Tuesday that wait times could exceed four hours to get through TSA security checkpoints.
HOUSTON - Travelers going through Houston airports should be aware of how the partial government shutdown could impact their TSA security screening wait time.
Here’s how to check before you go.
Check Houston airport wait times
The line at Terminal E stretched outside at Bush Airport in Houston at 7:12 a.m. March 24.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Travelers at Bush Airport on Monday may experience wait times over an hour and reduced screening lanes.
To check which terminals are open, whether TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR are available and how long the wait is, click here.
William P. Hobby Airport
Security checkpoint wait times at Hobby Airport were under 15 minutes on Monday morning. Travelers are still advised to arrive early.
To check the latest wait times, click here.
Why are airports experiencing longer wait times?
Airports across the country are experiencing longer TSA screening wait times amid a partial government shutdown.
Hundreds of thousands of Homeland Security workers, including from the TSA, U.S. Secret Service and Coast Guard, have worked without pay since Congress failed to renew DHS funding last month. That’s led many TSA agents to call in sick — or even quit their jobs — as financial strains pile up. The staffing shortages have forced some airports to close checkpoints at times, with wait times swinging dramatically for travelers.
Where DHS funding talks stand as Mullins is sworn in
As Markwayne Mullin is sworn in to lead Homeland Security Tuesday, a potential breakthrough bill that would fund the DHS is said to be in the works.
Funding for the department lapsed Feb. 14, as Democrats refused to fund ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection without changes to their operations in the wake of the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Democrats are continuing to demand major changes to federal immigration operations — including policy changes that would require ICE officers to get a warrant from a judge before forcefully entering homes, the removal of masks and clear identifying information on uniforms.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Houston Airport System and the Associated Press.