DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Addresses Government Shutdown in New Video
In a newly released video set to air in U.S. airports on Thursday afternoon, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown. This announcement, aimed at TSA agents and travelers, emphasized the challenges faced by the Transportation Security Administration during this period.
Noem, whose role involves overseeing the TSA, noted that “Most TSA agents work without pay.” She highlighted that the agency’s primary goal is to ensure a smooth and safe airport experience for passengers. However, she stated that “the Democratic Party in Congress denies funding to federal government,” leading to significant disruptions and most TSA employees not receiving paychecks.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to avoid delays that impact our customers,” Noem added, expressing hope that Democrats would soon understand the urgency of reopening the government.
If the shutdown exceeds two weeks, TSA staff will cease to receive wages. While the Public Employees Fair Treatment Act of 2019 ensures back pay after a shutdown, there are concerns it could take time for workers to access their earned salaries.
Reports indicate that the White House Office of Management and Budget has threatened to halt back payments to furloughed federal employees due to the shutdown. Currently, TSA workers—both at airports and in field operations—are not being compensated.
The emphasis behind this plan seems to be aimed at putting pressure on Democrats. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and his administration continue to call for a resolution to fund the government.
As of Thursday, airport operations remain relatively unaffected, but officials caution that prolonged shutdowns could lead to longer wait times as fewer employees show up for work.
The federal government officially shut down at midnight on October 1st, following a failed Senate vote on funding that was supposed to extend through November 21st.
Negotiations have grown increasingly tense, with multiple votes failing to advance since the start of the shutdown. Republicans enjoy a majority in the Senate but require 60 votes to obtain additional funding. Recently, only three Democrats broke ranks in their votes.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking about the situation, mentioned, “Every day is getting better” for Democrats, but revealed that federal workers are facing financial hardships, small businesses are struggling, and essential services are unavailable.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a discussion with Trump, criticized Schumer, accusing Democrats of using political suffering as leverage.
