Senate Republicans Block TSA Funding Amid DHS Shutdown

0:00On March 21st, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic push to fund the Transportation Security Administration amid an ongoing Department of Homeland. Security shut down that snarling air travel across the country. The procedural vote by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer failed 41-49 along party lines, short of the 60 needed to advance. Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the move as a convoluted stunt that wouldn't actually deliver TSA money, pointing instead to a house bill. Funding all of DHS that Democrats have stalled. Schumer called it a simple test on whether lawmakers backpacking airport screeners accusing Republicans of linking it to immigration enforcement. Demands. The shutdown started February 14th, leaving thousands of TSA officers unpaid for weeks and sparking sick outs, absenteeism, and at least three. 176 resignations. The workforce has dropped to about 50,000, struggling with rising passenger numbers.

1:00Airports in places like Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, and Philadelphia now face security lines over three hours long with checkpoint closures and more. Then 1300 flight delays by Saturday midday, plus cancellations piling up. Officials warned smaller airports could shut down entirely if this drags on. Travelers should plan to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international ones, but experts say the chaos will likely. Spread without a quick deal in Washington.