Congress leaves for 2-week recess without deal as TSA absences fuel airport backups

Talks to reopen the Department of Homeland Security remain stalled after House Republicans passed a short-term funding bill that is unlikely to succeed in the Senate, leaving the agency in the midst of the longest partial government shutdown on record. With lawmakers on recess and airport security delays mounting, the Senate had previously passed a funding bill excluding ICE and Border Patrol, but the House insists on immediate funding for immigration enforcement. President Trump has ordered back pay for TSA agents, though uncertainty remains about staffing levels and airport security. Negotiations continue, but disagreements over ICE and border security reforms are the main sticking points.