In brief
The ongoing funding shutdown in Congress has resulted in severe disruptions for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, including missed paychecks and rising callout rates. TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill highlighted the dire situation during a recent House hearing, emphasizing that many TSA workers are facing financial hardships while still performing their crucial security roles. With lawmakers split on immigration enforcement policies and a vote on a Republican proposal expected to fail, calls for ending the stalemate are growing as airport operations hang in the balance.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure is mounting on Congress to end the funding shutdown that’s resulted in travel disruptions, missed paychecks, and even warnings of airport closures. However, lawmakers have yet to resolve the underlying issue of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations.
Senators are expected to vote Thursday on a Republican proposal to fund the Transportation Security Administration and much of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding the enforcement and removal operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Yet, this proposal is expected to fail.
Democrats argue that the GOP plan does not sufficiently regulate ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal officers involved in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement sweeps, particularly following the recent fatalities of two Americans protesting these actions.
With Congress set to leave town for a spring break recess, calls for an end to the 41-day stalemate are intensifying, jeopardizing the livelihoods of TSA officers who are currently providing security without pay.
Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testified in a House hearing on Wednesday about the hardships facing unpaid TSA workers, which include accumulating bills and eviction notices. She warned of possible airport closures if more employees choose not to report for duty, noting that daily callout rates have surged to 11% nationwide.
“At this point, we have to look at all options on the table,” she stated, indicating that tough decisions about which airports might remain operational are forthcoming as absenteeism rises.
Trump, while largely absent from the public debate, initially supported the GOP-led funding plan, yet expressed dissatisfaction with any emerging deal. During an event for House Republicans, he blamed Democrats for not compromising on immigration requirements.
Meanwhile, the Republican proposal has come under fire for including only slight restrictions on immigration officers while omitting key reforms demanded by Democrats, such as requiring identification for federal agents and prohibiting raids in sensitive areas.
As the stalemate continues, airport lines grow longer and security risks increase, with reports of a more than 500% rise in assaults on TSA officers since the shutdown began. “This is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated,” McNeill remarked.
