The latest proposal, made by Republican senators, would fund most of DHS but not the immigration enforcement and removal operations. The offer added some new restraints on immigration officers, including the use of body cameras, but excluded Democrat demands such as requirements that federal agents wear identification and refrain from conducting raids around schools, churches or other sensitive places. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Democrats have received the “last and final” offer from Republicans.
The Transportation Security Agency has warned that it may have to shut down operations at some airports if the budget impasse drags on. In addition to the nearly 500 TSA workers who have quit, 41% of remaining TSA staff have called in sick at Atlanta's main airport, while 39% have done so at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Nationwide on Wednesday, more than 11% of the TSA employees on the schedule missed work, according to DHS. TSA employees are facing their second consecutive missed paycheck this week as the standoff reaches 41 days.
