Travel groups and airlines are warning of potential disruption as the US federal government partially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Several groups, including Airlines for America, stated in a joint warning on Friday that without an agreement, the risk of unscheduled absences by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers increased, which could cause flight delays and longer wait times for travelers.
Travellers and the US economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, they remarked.
The partial government shutdown began at midnight after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund DHS operations.
In exchange for a funding deal, Democrats had been advocating for more stringent restrictions on US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which will not see significant effects from the shutdown due to previous funding secured through a comprehensive legislative act.
Democrats have been pressing for several changes within the DHS, including a ban on immigration agents wearing face masks and improved identification measures for officers.
The Senate Democrats have blocked two funding bills recently, demanding that immigration reforms be included. This most recent funding bill only provided DHS with funds for two weeks, with lawmakers attempting to negotiate a long-term solution.
On Friday, President Donald Trump remained non-committal about the potential for an agreement with Democrats, stating, we'll see what happens when asked by reporters. He maintained the importance of protecting law enforcement.
The shutdown is anticipated to affect several agencies under the DHS umbrella, including the TSA and the Coast Guard, which reported potential suspensions of non-critical missions if funding lapses.
The last year witnessed the longest federal shutdown in US history, underscoring the precarious nature of such political conflicts, and travel chaos may yet escalate as Congress approaches a recess.
However, experts note that current disruptions may not be as severe this time as the Federal Aviation Administration remains fully funded for the year, potentially mitigating widespread travel issues.
