Deadline looms for DHS partial shutdown

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing a partial shutdown, with employees forced to work for no pay due to a potential withdrawal of federal government funds.
Administrative and office staff would be sent home, which could affect day-to-day operations of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
DHS has been caught up in a wider political dispute between Republicans and Democrats over immigration reform, with the Republican-dominated Senate set to refuse to approve the department’s continued funding, due to run out on February 27.
According to reports, if the agency is shut down, 30,000 of its 230,000 employees will be furloughed but TSA officers at airports, border patrol agents and frontline law enforcement officials would be required to report to work without pay.
The dispute is similar to one last year in which budget wrangling between Democrats and Republicans almost led to US Customs shutting down operations.

While attempts to find a way out of the impasse continue, DHS secretary Jeh Johnson said that failing to find a permanent solution to the problem would also have serious consequences: “It is like trying to drive across country with no more than five gallons of gas in your tank, and you do not know when the next gas station will appear.”
Did you find this article of interest, if so why not register for a FREE digital subscription to Air Cargo News? – Find out more

Share this story

Related Topics

Latest air cargo security news

Etihad Cargo boosts safety and security of electronics

Etihad Cargo is increasing its efforts to ensure the safe and secure transportation of consumer electronics with a new offering…

Read More

Share this story

IATA updates industry manuals for cargo and ground handling

IATA has updated its industry manuals for cargo and ground-handling operations, with more than 300 updates made. Some of the…

Read More

Share this story

Etihad Cargo achieves IATA CEIV Li-batt certification

Etihad Cargo has achieved the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt)…

Read More

Share this story

Air Cargo News

Air Cargo News
Established in 1983, Air Cargo News is the leading source of news, information, interviews, analyses and reports to the global airfreight industry. Our leading portfolio includes print, digital and events that give businesses in the airfreight industry the ability to connect with decision-makers in this sector.