LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The White House is warning that money to pay Department of Homeland Security workers, including the TSA, could soon run out, raising concerns about airport disruptions and national security.
The warning comes on day 75 of the partial government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. This week, members of the House delayed a vote on a proposed funding plan.
TSA workers at the Harry Reid International Airport are scheduled to receive their next paychecks on May 10. According to a White House memo, the money President Trump used to pay workers could be depleted by May 1.
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TSA officer describes financial strain
Sharre Quick has served as a TSA officer at the Harry Reid International Airport for the past five years. She said this past year has been more challenging than any other.
“We are still in a partial government shutdown, and again, we have no uncertainty of what’s going to happen moving forward. We don’t know when our next check is going to come,” Quick said.
In the past year, TSA workers have experienced three government shutdowns. The previous shutdown lasted 43 days, with the current shutdown now surpassing 70 days.
Quick has high blood pressure and was recently injured. She said mounting medical expenses are piling on as she continues to work without a guaranteed paycheck.
“My mother had to send me money to pay for my prescriptions because I couldn’t afford it,” Quick said.
“I suffered an injury. I have tendonitis in my ankle. So, I’ve had to use my own time to be off to handle my injury,” she said.
White House calls for House action
At the end of March, President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA workers. As of Tuesday night, the White House announced that the funding may soon run out.
The Office of Management and Budget called on the House to approve the budget resolution senators approved in an all-night session last week that would pave the way for full funding for the department. As of now, no such deal has been reached.
“I already knew from the beginning that this was a very temporary solution to a permanent problem. So I’m not surprised that this is where we are again,” Quick said.
The union that represents TSA workers at the Harry Reid International Airport said that amid the uncertainty, call-out rates have increased, reaching 14 percent, some of the highest numbers since the shutdown began.
“It’s very discouraging, because we’re not the military, and we don’t have tanks. But we serve our country, and our country should serve us back,” Quick said.
The union, AFGE, that represents TSA workers at the airport said national union leaders are planning to meet to discuss next steps for union members.
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