Long lines and delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have become a flashpoint in the competitive United States Senate race in Georgia, with Republicans criticizing Sen. Jon Ossoff for his vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security.
The partial government shutdown, now in its second week, stems from disagreements over federal immigration enforcement policies. TSA agents and other essential DHS personnel are working without pay, leading to widespread callouts at airports nationwide. The Atlanta airport informed travelers to arrive four hours early for their flights on Monday.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats have argued that Republicans are not interested in funding TSA, blocking efforts to end the worker shortage. Ossoff released a statement attributing the situation to Republican obstruction.
"Donald Trump's obstruction is denying TSA workers pay and creating havoc at airports. While negotiations continue over ICE, there is no reason TSA should be held hostage. Republicans must stop blocking TSA funding immediately," Ossoff said in a statement on March 21.
The Democratic Party of Georgia defended Ossoff, pointing to weeks of calls by Senate Democrats to fund TSA. "Senate Democrats have called for funding TSA for weeks, and Republicans have blocked it every step of the way because they are taking orders from Donald Trump," said DPG Chair Charlie Bailey. "We could pay TSA agents and end the chaos at airports across the country if Republicans like Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, and Derek Dooley told their Party to quit standing in the way and get it done."
Democrats noted that Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat who voted to fund DHS, while Ossoff joined most Democrats in opposing the funding bill over immigration policy disagreements.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics have blamed Ossoff directly for the airport disruptions, framing his vote as prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American travelers and workers.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) posted to X in response to a video showing the lines: "Jon Ossoff and Democrats caused this to protect illegal aliens. That's it."
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) dubbed the situation the "Schumer-Ossoff Shutdown" and stated plainly that the six-hour lines at TSA in Atlanta are "because Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff voted to SHUT DOWN the Department of Homeland Security."
Former NCAA football coach and Republican Senate hopeful Derek Dooley posted a video from the airport on Sunday, saying: "It's ridiculous. That's exactly why we need new leadership in D.C. This is nothing about the people. We need leaders who are gonna put their people first."
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has also weighed in. "Jon Ossoff cares more about protecting illegals like Laken Riley's killer than standing with hardworking Georgians," said Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia. "Ossoff never refuses a chance to use Georgians as political pawns."
What the Numbers Show
The partial government shutdown has created significant staffing challenges at airports nationwide. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the TSA callout rate reached 41.5% on Sunday, according to CBS News.
The airport informed travelers to arrive four hours early for Monday flights due to the delays. ICE agents were deployed to assist at airports across the nation on Monday as hundreds of TSA agents called out or quit.
In the Senate, Ossoff voted against a continuing resolution that would have funded DHS. The vote reflected broader party-line divisions over immigration enforcement policy. All 46 Senate Republicans present voted for the measure, while all Democrats except Fetterman voted against it.
Ossoff is the only incumbent Democrat in a "toss-up" race, according to the Cook Political Report. The 2026 Georgia Senate race is expected to be among the most competitive elections in the country.
The Bottom Line
The airport delays have quickly become a campaign issue in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched Senate races of 2026. Both parties are using the travel disruptions to score political points ahead of the May primary and November general election.
Republicans are tying Ossoff directly to the shutdown and its effects on travelers, while Democrats are emphasizing that Republicans have blocked multiple efforts to fund TSA separately from other DHS functions. The political fight comes as negotiations continue in Washington over federal immigration enforcement policies.
The outcome of these negotiations and the resolution of the partial shutdown will likely remain a focal point in the Georgia Senate race, particularly as voters experience firsthand the impact of understaffed TSA agents at one of the nation's busiest airports. President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the Republican primary, with the winner set to face Ossoff in what promises to be a highly competitive general election.