As the partial shutdown of the United States federal government drags on and disrupts the pay of thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees at airports, some US airports have asked the public to donate to support workers who have continued to report for duty without pay over the past month.
On Friday, March 13, US airport security officers missed their full paychecks as a partial shutdown continues to drag on and nears the one-month mark. Since the shutdown began, there has been no breakthrough in the Congressional gridlock that has now begun disrupting travel across the country.
Democrats have refused to back a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security unless it includes guaranteed reforms to immigration enforcement.
As security officers — those who screen passengers, baggage and cargo — at US airports have missed their full paychecks, airports are now asking the public for donations. Some have also set up their food pantries to support airport workers.
According to The Guardian, airports in Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Reno, Cleveland, Orlando, New York and New Jersey are accepting donations.
A partial shutdown has hit the airport as hundreds of passengers plan a spring trip. 300 TSA employees have already left the agency, and the unpaid work has sparked concerns about understaffing, longer security lines and flight delays in the middle of the travel season. This began to be reflected in airports as well.
Airports in several cities warned passengers to arrive several hours earlier than usual due to long security lines.
Johnny Jones, an official with the Dallas-based AFGE government employee union, told USA TODAY: “Many employees have reported to me that their bank accounts are at zero or in the negative. No money for childcare, no money for food. They just want to know why the hell they can’t get paid when we have money to shoot missiles into other countries.”
Democrats say they will not support funding for immigration enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, without reforms to their operations. Republicans say the demands are unacceptable and accuse Democrats of refusing to negotiate.
The stalemate has hardened in the Senate, where Democrats have repeatedly blocked legislation passed by the Republican House to fund the department.
Republicans, in turn, rejected a Democratic proposal that would have funded additional DHS agencies while leaving immigration enforcement unresolved.
What does DHS say?
In a statement on the long lines at the Texas hub, DHS said: “Thanks to a reckless shutdown by Democrats, the security lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are stretching OUT.
He added, “Democrat political games are making spring break travel a NIGHTMARE as they continue to withhold funding from DHS and refuse to pay our (TSA) officers.”
