The head of the Transportation Security Administration has warned things could prove difficult ahead of the World Cup due to the government shutdown.
With the World Cup set to take place in the US, anticipation is building among fans, but concerns are growing inside the TSA about whether airports will be able to cope with the surge in international arrivals.
Supporters from across the globe are expected to travel to the US to follow their national teams, a rush that typically requires months of planning, staffing and training to manage smoothly.
However, the ongoing federal government shutdown has complicated preparations, prompting officials to caution lawmakers that the country could face serious operational pressures as June nears.
Members of Congress were briefed on what was described as a “potential perfect storm” forming in the lead-up to the tournament.
Ha Nguyen McNeill told a US House committee that the agency is already struggling with a shortage of frontline staff, a problem that could worsen right as passenger numbers spike.
Testifying before a US House committee on Wednesday (March 25), she said: “As the shutdown drags on, we fear we will continue to lose talented and experienced employees to other jobs that can provide a steady pay cheque.
“Not only is the shutdown decreasing the number of interested candidates, for those we are able to hire they are required to complete four to six months of training before they are certified to work at checkpoints.
“At this point, newly hired officers will not be able to work on the checkpoint until well after the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
“This is a dire situation.
“We are facing a potential perfect storm of severe staffing shortages and an influx of millions of passengers at our airports for the World Cup games in less than 80 days.”
The Associated Press reports that more than 480 TSA officers have resigned so far, adding further strain as the agency tries to maintain coverage at checkpoints.
McNeill urged lawmakers and the administration to end the budget standoff, which began in mid-February, arguing the disruption is making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
She also detailed the impact the shutdown has had on employees’ finances and personal lives.
She continued: “Congress and the travelling public should be proud of the excellent job the TSA workforce does to protect our national security.
“Paying these dedicated employees for the work they are performing should never be a point of debate, and yet, here we are on the 40th day of our third shutdown this fiscal year.
“Many in our workforce have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their childcare, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line and drained their retirement savings.”