A partial government shutdown looms into the weekend as the House is expected to vote on the funding package on Monday.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 Federal workers across the country are once again bracing for uncertainty as a partial government shutdown appears likely this weekend, despite Senate action aimed at keeping the government funded.<\/p>\n
The Senate passed a bipartisan spending package late Friday, ahead of the midnight deadline to avert a shutdown. The House, however, has yet to vote on the measure and is expected to do so on Monday.<\/p>\n
The funding debate is drawing close attention from federal workers in the Sacramento region, including Transportation Security Administration employees at Sacramento International Airport. The union representing TSA workers there said it remains hopeful Congress can reach a solution but warned there could be impacts if the funding fight continues.<\/p>\n
On Friday evening, U.S. senators approved a package of bills to keep the government open. As part of the deal, lawmakers set aside a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security, a move pushed by Democrats. A separate vote on Homeland Security funding is expected in two weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cMembers are working on moving forward on a deal to fund the government and working on legislation desperately needed to reign in ICE\u2019s abuses,\u201d said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).<\/p>\n
Some Republican lawmakers pointed fingers within their own party after a failed vote Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason why we\u2019re not moving forward today does not have anything to do with the Democrats, it has to do with a handful of Republicans who are refusing to let us move forward,\u201d said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C).<\/p>\n
California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff was among those who voted no on Friday\u2019s spending deal. In a message posted to social media, Schiff said he wants to see stronger changes within the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n
\u201cReal reforms and not just promises reforms, but statutory requirements that attack these mass sweeps against the opposition of mayors and governors,\u201d Schiff said.<\/p>\n
At Sacramento International Airport, James Mudrock, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230, said the situation is frustrating for workers who could again be caught in the middle of a political fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very disappointing that we can\u2019t come to a resolution on this. Our people are not pawns,\u201d Mudrock said.<\/p>\n
TSA workers represented by the union went without pay during the last government shutdown, which lasted 43 days. Mudrock said that period caused significant financial strain for many employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re people with families and to take care of mortgages, rent payments, car payments, all that kind of thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Even as they prepare for the possibility of a shutdown through the weekend, union leaders said TSA workers remain committed to their jobs and do not expect travelers to notice disruptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that passengers will not see an impact on this. Our people will be at work,\u201d Mudrock said. \u201cOur people are dedicated to public safety and security of the transportation system and protecting the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
The House could pass the spending deal as soon as Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n