CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to DHS, pay airport workers

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All Rights Reserved. Menu World SECTIONS Iran war Russia-Ukraine war Español China Asia Pacific Latin America Europe Africa TOP STORIES LIVE European allies seek clarity on Trump's calls to send warships to Strait of Hormuz Fifth member of Iranian women's soccer team gives up asylum in Australia Swedish court orders detention of Russian captain of tanker boarded off Sweden Newsletters The Morning Wire Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. The Afternoon Wire Get caught up on what you may have missed throughout the day. See All Newsletters U.S. SECTIONS Immigration Weather Education Transportation Abortion LGBTQ+ Notable Deaths TOP STORIES 3,800 workers are on strike at one of the largest meatpacking plants in the US 'Radiant' mother from Kentucky was among 6 US service members killed in air crash in Iraq Israeli military claims brother of man who attacked Michigan synagogue was Hezbollah commander Newsletters The Morning Wire Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. See All Newsletters AP QUIZZES Test Your News I.Q. — take today’s quiz Politics SECTIONS 2026 Elections Election Results Election calendar White House Congress Supreme Court The latest AP-NORC polls Ground Game TOP STORIES As Trump pushes deportations, immigration data becomes harder to find Republicans resist calls for Iran war hearings, creating a new standoff with Democrats Trump suggests he may delay China trip, but Bessent says it's not to pressure on Strait of Hormuz Newsletters Ground Game Exclusive insights and key stories from the world of politics. See All Newsletters Sports SECTIONS March Madness NBA NHL MLB NFL Soccer Golf Auto Racing TOP STORIES LIVE Selection Sunday highlights: Men's and women's March Madness brackets are set Milan Cortina Paralympics end with another boycott by Ukraine at Games marked by Russia's return Aaron Judge hails World Baseball Classic crowds as 'bigger and better than the World Series' Newsletters AP Top 25 Poll Alerts Get email alerts for every college football Top 25 Poll release. The Sports Wire Your home base for in-depth reporting from the world of sports. See All Newsletters Entertainment SECTIONS Movies Fashion Television Celebrity Interviews Music Books TOP STORIES Complete list of 2026 Academy Awards winners Sean Penn wins best supporting actor Oscar for ‘One Battle After Another' but opts not to attend Behind the scenes at the Oscars: What you didn’t see on camera Newsletters AP Entertainment Wire Get AP's first personalized newsletter delivering you entertainment news twice a week. See All Newsletters Business SECTIONS Tariffs Inflation Financial Markets Financial Wellness Technology TOP STORIES CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers Tricky negotiations begin Monday to renew a trade pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada Falling oil prices send Wall Street toward its best day since the start of the Iran war Science SECTIONS Space Animals The Ancient World Climate Medicine TOP STORIES Oldest known whale recording could unlock mysteries of the ocean Scientists made a breakthrough in the study of whale sounds. Here's a look at the numbers Is spring really — finally — here? Fact Check Oddities TOP STORIES A red fox stows away on a cargo ship, traveling from England to the US Viral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animals Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floor Otters enjoy a snow day in Maryland during winter storm A colorful 'flour war' in Greece marks the start of Lent, in photos Injured mother manatee and calf are rescued in Florida and taken to SeaWorld Be Well SECTIONS Trending Better health At home Working well For the climate Eating well TOP STORIES Stair climbers love their exercise, even when security guards act like they're up to something One Tech Tip: How do you use an f-stop? Some people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn't Newsletters Photography SECTIONS 2025 YEAR END PHOTOS Photo Essays TOP STORIES A photo captures black spots on clothespins that reveal the environmental toll of conflict in Tehran After an Iranian drone strike, a photographer captures this quiet human moment Inspired by Picasso, an AP photographer visualizes a blind person ‘seeing’ art Newsletters The World in Pictures Get The AP’s most compelling photographs sent directly to your inbox. See All Newsletters AP Investigations Climate SECTIONS Indigenous peoples and climate Climate Questions Climate Migration India Focus TOP STORIES Offshore wind project targeted by Trump administration starts sending power to the New England grid When gas prices go up, changing the way you drive can stretch your fuel just a bit farther After attacks on Iran's oil facilities, toxic black rain endangers the public Health TOP STORIES Stair climbers love their exercise, even when security guards act like they're up to something Some people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn't Challenging your brain helps keep it healthy. Here's how to do it Flu vaccines didn't work that well in the US, officials find Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Here's who is most at risk and symptoms to watch for Rage, suspicion, fear: Why Laurel’s residents want to stop a new state psychiatric facility Tech SECTIONS Artificial Intelligence Social Media TOP STORIES One Tech Tip: Unspoken group chat rules you're probably ignoring, but shouldn't Google overhauls its Maps app, adding in more AI features to help people get around A service dog named Alfred sparked a Lyft settlement in Minnesota with nationwide reach Lifestyle SECTIONS Food & Recipes Gardening Fashion Homes Travel Pets TOP STORIES Rene Redzepi steps down from Noma and fine dining's ‘brigade’ culture comes under scrutiny Where is Rachael Ray now? She says she's thriving Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips Religion TOP STORIES Pope escalates call for ceasefire in Iran by addressing those responsible for the war Thiel brings his Antichrist lectures to the Vatican’s doorstep, and Catholic institutions back away As pope seeks dialogue and diplomacy, 2 US cardinals reject US-Israeli war in Iran Newsletters World of Faith Comprehensive global coverage of how religion shapes our world. See All Newsletters Español SECTIONS Deportes Donald Trump TOP STORIES Kazajos votan en referendo sobre nueva Constitución que afianzaría control del presidente actual Teherán dice que EEUU lo atacó desde los Emiratos Árabes Unidos Departamento de Estado reduce 80% la tarifa para renunciar a la ciudadanía de EEUU Most watched videos Standards Quizzes Press Releases My Account AP News Code of Conduct World Iran war Russia-Ukraine war Español China Asia Pacific Latin America Europe Africa Middle East U.S. Immigration Weather Education Transportation Abortion LGBTQ+ Notable Deaths Politics 2026 Elections Election Results Election calendar White House Congress Supreme Court The latest AP-NORC polls Ground Game Sports March Madness NBA NHL MLB NFL Soccer Golf Auto Racing AP Top 25 College Football Poll Entertainment Movies Fashion Television Celebrity Interviews Music Books Business Tariffs Inflation Financial Markets Financial Wellness Technology Science Space Animals The Ancient World Climate Medicine Fact Check Oddities Be Well Trending Better health At home Working well For the climate Eating well Newsletters Photography 2025 YEAR END PHOTOS Photo Essays AP Investigations Climate Indigenous peoples and climate Climate Questions Climate Migration India Focus Health Tech Artificial Intelligence Social Media Lifestyle Food & Recipes Gardening Fashion Homes Travel Pets Religion Español Deportes Donald Trump Most watched videos Standards Quizzes Press Releases My Account AP News Code of Conduct MORE World Iran war Russia-Ukraine war Español China Asia Pacific Latin America Europe Africa Middle East U.S. Immigration Weather Education Transportation Abortion LGBTQ+ Notable Deaths Politics 2026 Elections Election Results Election calendar White House Congress Supreme Court The latest AP-NORC polls Ground Game Sports March Madness NBA NHL MLB NFL Soccer Golf Auto Racing AP Top 25 College Football Poll Entertainment Movies Fashion Television Celebrity Interviews Music Books Business Tariffs Inflation Financial Markets Financial Wellness Technology Science Space Animals The Ancient World Climate Medicine Fact Check Oddities Be Well Trending Better health At home Working well For the climate Eating well Newsletters Photography 2025 YEAR END PHOTOS Photo Essays AP Investigations Climate Indigenous peoples and climate Climate Questions Climate Migration India Focus Health Tech Artificial Intelligence Social Media Lifestyle Food & Recipes Gardening Fashion Homes Travel Pets Religion Español Deportes Donald Trump Most watched videos Standards Quizzes Press Releases My Account AP News Code of Conduct Sign in Search Query Submit Search Show Search Menu Submit Search From AP News About Contact Us Accessibility Statement Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Limit Use and Disclosure of Sensitive Personal Information CA Notice of Collection The Associated Press ap.org Careers Advertise with us AP News Values and Principles AP’s Role in Elections AP Leads AP Definitive Source Blog AP Images Spotlight Blog AP Stylebook AP News Code of Conduct SECTIONS ap.org Careers Advertise with us AP News Values and Principles AP’s Role in Elections AP Leads AP Definitive Source Blog AP Images Spotlight Blog Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Business CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers 1 of 2 | A TSA agent wears a U.S. Department of Homeland Security patch on their uniform at Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Read More 2 of 2 | Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) Read More CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers 1 of 2 | A TSA agent wears a U.S. Department of Homeland Security patch on their uniform at Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Read More 1 of 2 A TSA agent wears a U.S. Department of Homeland Security patch on their uniform at Love Field Airport, in Dallas, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero) --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 2 of 2 | Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) Read More 2 of 2 Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit NEW YORK (AP) — The CEOs of the nation’s top airline companies, including American, Delta, Southwest and JetBlue, are imploring Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and embrace a bipartisan solution to pay federal aviation workers including airport security officers during the partial government shutdown. “Once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the executives wrote in an open letter to Congress that was published Sunday online and in The Washington Post. The letter, which was also signed by the CEOs of the cargo companies UPS, FedEx and Atlas Air, said that Congress should pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would guarantee air traffic controllers are paid regardless of the government’s funding status, as well as the Keep America Flying Act. That measure would offer the same protections to Transportation Security Administration officers tasked to provide security and to screen all travelers. Related Stories Trump’s mass deportation agenda is at a crossroads with the Homeland Security shake-up 5 MIN READ 16 As Trump pushes deportations, immigration data becomes harder to find 5 MIN READ 76 Lawmakers vent frustration over DHS shutdown as lines grow at nation’s airports 4 MIN READ 37 ”It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid,” the letter said. Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More The current partial shutdown affects only the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA. Democrats in Congress refused to fund the department over objections to its immigration enforcement tactics. The lapse marks the third shutdown in less than a year to leave TSA workers temporarily without pay — and once the government reopens, to have to wait for back pay. Democratic lawmakers have said DHS won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year. The CEOs noted that with spring break in full swing, FIFA’s World Cup 2026 approaching and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are high. The letter said that U.S. airlines expect 171 million passengers this spring season. As the latest partial shutdown drags on, there have been long security lines at a growing number of U.S airports. The TSA and Homeland Security have consistently blamed Democrats for the long security lines. Homeland Security posted on its X account last week that more than 300 TSA agents have quit since the start of the shutdown. ANNE D’INNOCENZIO D’Innocenzio writes about retail, trends, the consumer economy and hourly workers for The Associated Press. twitter mailto Most read Analysis: Two weeks into war with Iran, Trump has been knocked back on his political heels 6 MIN READ 1778 Oscars 2026: ‘One Battle After Another’ wins best picture Live updates: Flights suspended at Dubai airport after drone sparks fire CEOs of top airlines demand Congress restore funding to Homeland Security and pay airport workers 1 MIN READ 188 Trump says that he’s asked ‘about 7' countries to join coalition to police Iran’s Strait of Hormuz 6 MIN READ 640