Homeland security spat wouldn’t stop security screening at Yeager

Yeager Airport Board members discussed possible financial impacts to federal security screeners Wednesday after Congress moved carefully toward a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

If the DHS does not receive funding by Saturday, the shutdown will impact Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, meaning that most employees would still continue to come to work without pay until the end of the shutdown.

Yeager Airport has 45-60 full-time Transportation Security Officers (TSO), often referred to as screeners, who would continue to secure the transportation system as part of a counter terrorism agency.

During the possible shutdown, the TSA will not have any new hires or required training, according to the DHS. This will also delay the installation of new security technology equipment since these functions require a secure budget.

Yeager Airport Director Rick Atkinson said at the shutdown will not affect screeners, but it will impact individuals. He said just like air traffic controllers, they are essential federal employees that have to come to work whether they get paid or not.

“There’s very few people who can go without a paycheck when you’re supposed to get paid because the mortgage company, car company, and the electric company don’t understand that ‘I didn’t get my check.’ They want their check,” said Atkinson.

Atkinson said he hoped Congress would act soon.

“Hopefully the Congress gets their issues worked out and they can adopt a funding bill so they can get paid and that part of the Department of Homeland Security can continue to function,” said Atkinson.

A possible funding deal for Homeland Security is expanding in Washington.