Travelers face longest TSA wait times in history as agency's head warns of closures

NPR | By Hosts

Published March 26, 2026 at 6:46 AM EDT

The acting TSA administrator told Congress Wednesday that the agency faces a "dire" situation and may have to close smaller airports, as many security officers working without pay quit or call out.

Related Content

Trump's attacks on offshore wind could hurt infrastructure spending across the economy

Michael Copley

President Trump has tried to kill offshore wind's future in the U.S. But industry analysts say the attacks could hurt business confidence across the U.S. economy.
National

It's Equal Pay Day. Women have lost ground for the second year in a row

Andrea Hsu

The annual observance marks how far into the new year women must work to make what men earned in the previous year. This year, it's March 26, a day later than it was in 2025.
Decades ago, a Maryland sailor burned his winter socks. Now it's a spring tradition

Scott Neuman

In Annapolis, Md., people gather each year to usher in the warmer weather by burning their socks. The springtime tradition is the unofficial start of the Chesapeake Bay sailing season.
The human and financial costs rack up as immigration detention expands

Martin Kaste
Trades made before Trump delayed plans to attack Iran raise insider trading concerns

A Martínez

Minutes before President Trump delayed plans to attack Iran's energy infrastructure, big trades were made, raising insider trading concerns. NPR's A Martinez asks economist Paul Krugman.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.