A senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official, Adam Stahl, has warned that the backlog at airport security checkpoints is likely to worsen before it gets better due to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. Stahl also warned of the potential for a temporary pause in operations at smaller airports due to a rising employee callout rate. The staffing shortage has led to long lines at security checkpoints as unpaid TSA workers either call out sick or quit the force. The shutdown, now in its fifth week, is no closer to reaching an agreement to restore funding to the agency. Stallah criticised Congress for holding an entire department hostage over policy concerns.