00:01Long lines snaked through major airports across the country on Wednesday as the TSA said more
00:07than 480 airport security officers have quit amid a standoff over funding for the Department
00:12of Homeland Security. Paying these dedicated employees for the work they are performing
00:17should never be a point of debate. Ha McNeil, the top official at the Transportation Security
00:23Administration, told the House committee that a partial government shutdown has forced 50,000
00:28airport security officers to work without pay, raising serious concerns about safety risks and
00:34taking a major toll on worker morale. Many in our workforce have missed bill payments,
00:39received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their
00:44child care, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line, and drained their retirement savings.
00:51Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to
00:57make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform
01:01to protect the traveling public.
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