Since February 14, the United States has been under a partial government shutdown, affecting a single, sprawling department: Homeland Security.The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, has been mired in a partisan battle between Democrats and Republicans.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listDemocrats seek reforms to the department following the violence of its immigration crackdowns. Republicans have refused, calling the demands unreasonable.But while the Department of Homeland Security has an array of duties — from border security to emergency management — the most visible effects of the shutdown have come at the country’s airports.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) falls under the department’s control, and because of the shutdown, workers have gone without pay.Their last paycheque was more than two weeks ago, and it only included partial compensation for their work. Last Friday marked their first full missed paycheque.Some TSA employees have responded by quitting, while others have taken unscheduled leave. The result has been long lines and delays at airports, amid staffing shortfalls.Nearly 50,000 people make up the TSA’s army of transportation security officers, and they are responsible for screening passengers, baggage and cargo at air terminals.Here’s how the shutdown is affecting their lives and conditions at US airports.What’s happening?Congress must pass spending bills to keep federal agencies funded.In early February, it passed a $1.2 trillion spending package to keep the federal government financed through September. But there was a major caveat: Funding for the Department of Homeland Security would be voted upon separately. Advertisement Democrats refused to su …
