The combination of a partial government shutdown and the influx of spring breakers traveling has caused hourslong waits at some of the country’s major airport security checkpoints.
Some airports reported security lines with travelers waiting up to three hours. Some airports, such as Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, have recommended that travelers plan their itineraries in advance and arrive at the airport at least three hours before takeoff.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted on X Sunday afternoon, accusing congressional Democrats of refusing to fund the department responsible for airport TSA security, which it says has directly affected “Americans to miss their spring break flights. There is ZERO reason for spring break travel to be held hostage for political points — Democrats must end this DHS shutdown NOW.”
Why is there a partial shutdown?
Funding for DHS lapsed on Feb. 17 due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over federal immigration reform.
“These political stunts force patriotic TSA officers, who protect our skies from serious threats, to work without pay,” Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Lauren Bis said in a statement on TSA’s X page. “Democrats are shamelessly playing politics with national security, punishing hardworking TSA workers and their families. Enough is enough: stop holding national security and everyday Americans hostage. Democrats must fund DHS now.”
Congressional Democrats have said their concerns with DHS lie in its treatment of American citizens.
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., who serves as the head of the New Democrat Coalition, said on social media that he would continue freezing DHS funds until “there are meaningful reforms that rein in” the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
The New Democrat Coalition accused immigration and border patrol agents of actions of “lawless violence” in an X post.
