WASHINGTON — The longest shutdown in the history of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially came to an end after the House of Representatives approved funding legislation restoring operations for key agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Secret Service, FEMA and the Coast Guard. President Donald Trump later signed the bipartisan bill into law.

Despite relief across the travel and aviation sectors, industry leaders warned that the political standoff has already caused significant operational and economic damage, particularly as the United States prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in just a few weeks.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman criticized Congress for allowing the crisis to escalate for more than two months.

“While the bill passed today restores funding certainty for much of DHS, there are no real winners in a shutdown,” Freeman said in an official statement released April 30.

According to the organization, more than 1,100 TSA officers resigned during the 76-day shutdown, contributing to staffing shortages, lower morale and growing concerns about airport security operations ahead of the massive influx of international visitors expected for the World Cup.

“We emerge from this disruption weaker, not stronger,” Freeman added.

The shutdown began in mid-February amid a fierce political dispute in Congress over immigration enforcement funding tied to agencies such as ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While the newly approved bill restores funding for most DHS operations, immigration enforcement agencies will be addressed separately through future legislation.

During the shutdown, the travel industry repeatedly warned that airport operations, trusted traveler programs and security preparations for major international events were being placed at risk. Programs such as Global Entry were temporarily suspended, while TSA PreCheck narrowly avoided disruption.

Freeman also accused lawmakers of increasingly using government shutdowns as political leverage, arguing that such tactics create real consequences for national security and travelers.

“Congress must ensure that TSA officers and air traffic controllers are never again treated as political footballs,” he said.

The U.S. travel sector, airlines and airport operators have been increasingly vocal about the importance of maintaining stable DHS funding as the country prepares for one of the largest tourism and sporting events in its history. Industry groups warn that even though the shutdown has officially ended, rebuilding staffing levels and restoring operational readiness could take months.