More than 300 Transportation Security Administration employees have left the agency in the United States since theDepartment of Homeland Security shutdownbegan on Feb. 14, according to internal figures obtained by CBS News. The departures have placed fresh pressure on airport screening operations while Kristi Noem's department remains mired in a funding crisis during the spring break rush.
For context, roughly 50,000TSA employees have been required to keep working without pay during the shutdown, and CBS reported that nationwide unscheduled absences among frontline officers have climbed to an average of 6% from about 2% before funding lapsed.
The numbers are no longer abstract. CBS reported 305 employee separations between Feb. 14 and March 9, and officials told the network that more staff could leave once workers miss their first full pay packet on Friday.
That gives the story real weight. A staffing problem is one thing on paper, but a staffing problem at airport security in March can quickly lead to stranded families, missed departures and queues that appear to stop moving. The evidence is already visible.
TSA agents are now working without pay because of the Democrat government shutdown of DHS.TSA is an essential service so workers have to show up even during a shutdown.Many workers are now considering quitting because Democrat politicians hate them.pic.twitter.com/01T2xM9ksg
Former TSA Administrator John Pistole told CBS the situation was 'a huge morale hit for TSA,' warning that adversaries could try to exploit what he called 'a perceived vulnerability' if fewer officers continue showing up for work. He also said repeated shutdowns can damage recruitment because applicants may think twice about taking a job that might require them to work unpaid.
.@Sec_Noemon Democrats' reckless DHS shutdown:"We've got even law enforcement officers, security officers, TSA is not funded. Those individuals are showing up every day and working without any pay to keep our national security at the front and center."pic.twitter.com/Mggou5wz0a
The political blame game is already in full swing. A DHS spokesperson told CBS that TSA employees were being forced to work without pay 'for the THIRD time in nearly six months,' adding that 'the longer this shutdown drags on, the more financial hardship our patriotic officers and their families face, leading to more staffing issues and longer wait times for travelers.'
NEW: More than 300 TSA agents have left the workforce altogether since the shutdown began,@CBSNewsreports.Plus “sickouts” have accelerated at a few airports - including roughly 50% of agents at Houston-Hobby (HOU) over a two-day stretch.Explains a lot of what we’ve seen.pic.twitter.com/iHmva798sY
That same spokesperson directly blamed Democrats and urged them to 're open DHS.' Democrats, for their part, presented a different story. CBS reported thatSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumersaid his party had tried to pass funding for TSA and other DHS agencies separately from the more disputed immigration enforcement budget, but Republicans blocked the effort.
Source: International Business Times UK
