DHS funding lapse hits 44 days, surpassing longest shutdown in U.S. history

On March 29, 2026, the partial DHS funding lapse reached 44 days, passing the previous record of 43 days set during the 2025 full government shutdown and becoming the longest funding lapse in U.S. history. Congress began the lapse on February 14, 2026, when DHS funding expired without a replacement deal. Both chambers were on a two-week recess on the day the record was set. TSA saw nearly 500 officers quit during the shutdown, and multiple airports experienced greater than 40% callout rates.