The Transportation Security Administration's acting administrator warned Congress on Wednesday that some airports may need to close unless funding is restored, as the Department of Homeland Security budget standoff enters its 40th day with no resolution in sight.

Ha Nguyen McNeill told a House Homeland Security Committee hearing that TSA is experiencing its highest wait times ever, with multiple airports reporting callout rates above 40%. Nationwide, more than 3,160 TSA employees did not show up for work on Tuesday alone — about 11% of scheduled workers — and 481 officers have quit altogether since the shutdown began.

For San Diego travelers, the situation is directly felt at San Diego International Airport, where TSA staffing shortages have contributed to longer-than-usual security lines in recent weeks. Spring break travel is already adding to the congestion, and officials warn that conditions could worsen if Congress does not act before the Easter holiday weekend.

The funding standoff centers on a dispute over immigration enforcement. The latest Republican proposal in the Senate would fund most of DHS but exempt immigration enforcement operations, which Democrats have insisted must be reined in as a condition of any deal. ICE officers have been deployed to some major airports to assist with crowd control, a development that has unsettled some lawmakers and travelers.

Several airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook without penalty. Travelers flying out of San Diego are advised to arrive at least 2.5 to 3 hours early for domestic flights and to monitor their airline's travel alerts page. Contactless payment — credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch — is accepted at all TSA checkpoints and can help speed up the process.