Airline Leaders Urge Congress to Restore DHS Funding

0:00On this March 15 in Durham, here's what is making headlines. The leaders of major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue, are urging Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. In an open letter, they're calling for bipartisan laws to ensure paychecks keep flowing to key aviation workers like TSA screeners and air traffic. Controllers, no matter the funding fights. The letter also carries signatures from cargo giants, UPS, FedEx, and Atlas Air. It pushes specific measures such as the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and Stability Act for controllers, plus the Keep America Flying Act to protect TSA staff. These shutdowns hit workers hard, leaving them struggling to cover basics like food, gas, and rent without timely pay. This March the third time and under a year that TSA employees face delayed wages, with back pay only coming after the government restarts.

1:03Democrats are holding out on Homeland Security funding until immigration enforcement gets new limits tied to earlier fatal shootings in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, spring break travel is booming, with airlines projecting 171 million passengers this season ahead of events like that. World Cup in 2026 and the nation's 250th birthday. Long security lines are building at more airports as the shutdown stretches on. Homeland Security reports over 300 TSA agents have already quit and officials blamed the delay squarely on the funding standoff. D&N is brought to you by our sponsor link in the description. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow. For comfort and calm, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com