"Since February 14, the United States has been under a partial government shutdown, affecting a single, sprawling department: Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, has been mired in a partisan battle between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats seek reforms to the department following the violence of its immigration crackdowns. Republicans have refused, calling the demands unreasonable."
"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) falls under the department's control, and because of the shutdown, workers have gone without pay. Their last paycheque was more than two weeks ago, and it only included partial compensation for their work. Last Friday marked their first full missed paycheque. Some TSA employees have responded by quitting, while others have taken unscheduled leave."
"Nearly 50,000 people make up the TSA's army of transportation security officers, and they are responsible for screening passengers, baggage and cargo at air terminals. The result has been long lines and delays at airports, amid staffing shortfalls."
A partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security since February 14 has left TSA workers without pay for over two weeks, with their first full missed paycheck occurring on a Friday. Nearly 50,000 TSA transportation security officers responsible for screening passengers and cargo at airports have responded by resigning or taking unscheduled leave, causing significant staffing shortfalls and resulting in long airport delays. The shutdown stems from partisan conflict: Democrats demand immigration enforcement reforms before approving DHS funding, while Republicans refuse these demands as unreasonable. Congress passed a $1.2 trillion spending package in early February but separated DHS funding for individual voting, creating the current impasse.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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