Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday that conditions at airport security checkpoints are expected to worsen significantly as the partial government shutdown stretches into its 41st day, raising concerns about staffing shortages and longer wait times nationwide.

Speaking in an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Duffy said the situation could escalate in the coming days as more TSA workers face financial strain. “I think you’re going to see more TSA agents, as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they’re going to quit or they’re not going to show up,” he said, pointing out that many officers are about to miss their second consecutive paycheck.

He added that the lack of pay is already taking a toll on the workforce. “But without getting paychecks, it’s even that much more challenging,” Duffy said. “They’re going to take other jobs to put food on the table and pay the rent. So, I do think it’s going to get much worse. And as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on the Congress to come to a resolution.”

Across the country, a growing number of TSA employees have been calling out of work as negotiations to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security remain stalled. Travelers have already begun to feel the impact, with extended security lines reported at multiple airports.

Officials have also raised the possibility that some smaller airports may be forced to temporarily shut down operations if staffing shortages continue to deepen. According to DHS figures, more than 360 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began in late February.

Despite the mounting challenges, Duffy said he is encouraging TSA personnel to continue reporting for duty, emphasizing that they will ultimately receive their back pay. “I’m asking for them to come [to work], and we’ve asked them to come to work,” he said. “They make family decisions that are right on behalf of their finances. But we want them to come.”

In an effort to ease the strain, President Trump announced Saturday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would be deployed to airports across the country beginning Monday to help support operations during the shutdown.

Details of how that plan will be implemented remain unclear. Duffy said the ICE agents are expected to assist with certain security-related functions, while White House border czar Tom Homan could play a role in managing passenger flow and reducing congestion at checkpoints. Homan indicated in a separate interview that officials are working to finalize the approach before it is rolled out.

“[ICE officers] run those same type of security machines at the southern border, right?” Duffy said. “Packages come through or people come through. They run similar assets.”

“And again, even if we’re … look at the line there. To manage the through flow of people and even administratively, they’ll be helpful,” he continued. “But again, we have ICE agents who are trained and can provide assistance to agents.”