(The Center Square) \u2013 Catching a flight? Expect long lines, depending on the time and airport.<\/p>\n
Due to a partial federal government shutdown involving the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration workers are not being paid, and staffing is a problem. As a result, passengers are having to wait longer than usual to get through security checkpoints at airports across the nation, including California.<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa, R-San Diego, blames Democrats.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a direct result of the Democrat DHS shutdown, American travelers at airports across the country are facing unprecedented wait times of multiple hours,\u201d Issa told The Center Square Tuesday. \u201cThis entirely preventable waste and inconvenience, however, is only part of the extreme impact on Transportation Security Officers and reckless endangerment of America\u2019s national security needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate Democrats including Alex Padilla of California say TSA agents are not being paid because of Republicans shutting down the government. Democrats note it\u2019s having widespread effects on travelers at major airports across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Democrats tried to pass a bill to fund individual agencies like TSA, Republicans blocked it,\u201d\u00a0Padilla<\/a>\u00a0told The Center Square. \u201cI have been clear from the beginning: I\u2019m with the American people in demanding accountability\u00a0to rein in ICE and CBP\u2019s lawlessness\u00a0\u2013 anything short of that is a nonstarter for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Issa isn\u2019t buying the claims. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Democrats know what they\u2019ve done,” Issa said. “Now it\u2019s time for them to admit their gambit failed and end their shutdown.”<\/p>\n Roxanne Hoge, chair of the LA GOP, agreed. Hoge told The Center Square that \u201cit is shameful to see Democrats prioritizing illegal immigrants and failing to protect the nation over the safety of Americans\u201d here at home.<\/p>\n