Passengers flying out of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport have been weighing in on who they think is responsible for the extremely long Transport Security Administration (TSA) security lines.
Recent weeks have brought widespread travel headaches, with some flyers reporting hours of waiting just to clear security. Travelers have also been cautioned that delays could still get worse.
Much of the current disruption has been linked to the ongoing government shutdown.
The shutdown stems largely from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding freeze, after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on issues including spending and immigration.
Because DHS must have congressional approval to spend, the halt in funding has meant TSA workers are going unpaid. With paychecks on hold, some employees have chosen not to report to work, creating staffing gaps at checkpoints.
The result has been lengthy TSA lines at several of the nation’s biggest airports.
Amid the situation, travelers in Houston were asked who they believe is at fault for the turmoil.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, one lady said: “All congressmen. All of them, regardless of their party. They just need to do their jobs.”
“Politicians,” said another person waiting in line, while a different traveler added: “I mean, honestly, look, the Democrats are not voting on the DHS being reinstated. And they’re the ones who pay for TSA from what I know. So, without paying the people, they obviously can’t work.”
Another passenger echoed that view, describing it as a ‘Democrat mess’.
According to the New York Post, 500 TSA employees have reportedly quit amid the funding issues.
Even so, not every airport has experienced the same level of disruption. Some locations fall under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, which allows private, TSA-certified contractors to handle screening.
Airports said to be avoiding major impacts include Dawson Community Airport in Montana, Greater Rochester International Airport in New York, Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida, and Tupelo Regional Airport in Mississippi.
Discussing why Tupelo Regional Airport has remained steady, Nat Carmack from BOS Security — the company responsible for screening there — said: “All operations at the privatized airports are normal because we continue paying our employees during the shutdown.
“Our employees have never missed a paycheck during any of the government shutdowns.”
She added: “As a small business, it’s a burden, but we cover those payrolls until the government reopens and processes our invoices.”