NICOLE SGANGA:
00:00:16
At Houston's George Bush Airport, security lines snaked three stories underground, even outside, created by a severe TSA staffing shortage. We've been waiting here since like two hours, and we lost our flight already.
NICOLE SGANGA:
00:00:31
On Capitol Hill today, the acting head of TSA issued this warning. The longer this shutdown goes on and more missed paychecks, we are really putting ourselves and our workforce in a perilous situation. Over the past six months, TSA has gone without funding for 85 days and counting. That means TSA officers have gone without an on-time paycheck almost every other day. More than 480 officers have quit during the latest DHS shutdown. Yesterday, over 3,100 called out nationwide, pushing the callout rate above 11%. In Houston, the numbers were even higher. Nearly 40% calling out at George Bush Airport, where TSA is operating only about a third of its lanes, leading to lines like this one. Holding the public and the nation's security hostage is totally unacceptable. You're not angry with TSA workers who aren't showing up? No. I sympathize with the fact they've got to feed their families and take care of business.
NICOLE SGANGA:
00:01:36
On Wednesday, Senate Democrats issued a new counterproposal on a deal to end the 40-day impasse.
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL:
00:01:42
Just have a vote. Republicans should let us vote and go along with paying TSA.
NICOLE SGANGA:
00:01:48
But Republicans immediately poured cold water on the offer. I don't believe in holding TSA hostage because the Democrats hate ICE. I think that's wrong. We should open up TSA right now. But nor am I willing to cut ICE. Roughly 50,000 TSA officers are expected to miss a second full paycheck on Friday, totaling nearly $1 billion in lost wages, according to the acting TSA administrator, Tony. Nicole, thank you very much.
