00:02Today marks the 24th day of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and travelers are
00:07really starting to feel it. Long security lines are forming at some airports as the busy spring
00:12break travel season gets underway. Those in Houston and New Orleans face wait times of up
00:17to several hours at Security Checkpoint Sunday, with some people missing their flights. The
00:22delays come as the partial shutdown creates a shortage of TSA officers. Department of Homeland
00:28Security spokeswoman Lauren Beast blames Democrats for the stalemate. Funding for DHS expired February
00:3513th after lawmakers hit an impasse over immigration enforcement policies following the deadly
00:40shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers. Democrats are pushing for new restrictions
00:46on ICE and Customs and Border Protection, while Republicans argue changes have already been made
00:52after the killings. TSA officers are considered essential workers, meaning they must continue
00:57working without pay until Congress approves new funding. But the lack of pay is leading
01:03to many calling out sick. The funding lapse is also impacting FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
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