Sunday was a rather interesting day for the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Kristi Noem, and President Donald Trump.
An announcement was made that the TSA PreCheck was no longer working due to the shutdown, which would create more of a travel nightmare than people are already having.
The report was soon thereafter shut down by the Trump administration, so Democrats will have to find something else to complain about now.
TSA is once again working without pay, as they are considered essential personnel; shutdown or not, they have to report to work (they get paid in full after the shutdown is over).
This is something that clearly needs to be addressed by Congress, as many of these people are living check-to-check, and they don’t even have the option to go out and get part-time work during the shutdown to make ends meet.
Joseph Groover, the first vice president for the AFGE Local 556 Union, explained, “It’s taxing and it’s exhausting. People are definitely discouraged, they are still showing up because, I mean, it is a job, it is what we all signed up to do, but they are definitely getting discouraged.”
I agree, but if they do not show up for work, they risk losing their jobs. That is something I have never comprehended. If they are essential, there should be emergency funding to keep their paychecks rolling.
This weekend, a state of panic swept through travelers as a report was posted that TSA PreCheck was being suspended during the shutdown.
Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu, which represents virtually every major airline in the country, stated, “A4A is deeply concerned that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended and that the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown.”
He continued, “The announcement was issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly, which is especially troubling at this time of record air travel.”
Between the big storms hitting the northeast and heightened travel, this caused mass panic, but it was all for naught.
TSA calmed everyone down as that news spread, announcing on Sunday morning, "At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly.” It continued, "Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America's skies.”
This almost seemed like a fake-out to me by the administration to launch an attack at Democrats, which Sec. Noem did, stating on Saturday, "This is the third time that Democrat politicians have shut down this department during the 119th Congress. Shutdowns have serious real-world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security."
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MD) then responded, "This is Trump and Kristi Noem purposely punishing the American people and using them as pawns for their sadistic political games. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry REDUCE airport lines and ease the burden on DHS staff who are working without pay because of Trump's abuse of the Department and killing of American citizens."
This is a huge mess, and I am not really sure if this was a communication issue or purposely done, but the situation is now resolved. Both sides will attack each other over this, which means it is business as usual in DC. They have to get this worked out, and it needs to happen soon. If you are working, you should be paid, not to mention the department that is shut down is arguably the most important in terms of national security and the safety of the American people. Someone, please, do your job.
