10% of TSA employees called out sick on Tuesday as DHS shutdown continues

Nearly 10 percent of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers called out sick on Tuesday as the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security continues.

Roughly 2,700 TSA officers nationwide were absent, significantly higher than the typical 2 percent daily callout rate, according to a report by ABC News. The largest impacts were reported in Atlanta and New Orleans, where nearly 40 percent of TSA officers at each airport called out.

TSA employees continue to grapple with the partial government shutdown, which began on February 14. Employees initially had their pay reduced as funding ran out, and last week, many stopped receiving paychecks entirely, contributing to the rise in unscheduled absences.

Data from the agency showed major airports experiencing high callout rates, including 30.1 percent at John F. Kennedy International Airport and 29.1 percent at Pittsburgh International Airport. The staffing shortages have added strain for travelers, many of whom were already facing extended wait times.

Reports last week showed that TSA wait times reached as long as 3.5 hours at some locations, prompting the agency to urge travelers to arrive “as early as possible” to avoid missing flights.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the outlet that the Democratic Party’s lawmakers are responsible for the shortages.

"The Democrats' reckless DHS shutdown is causing TSA officers to go without pay for the third time in nearly six months," the spokesperson said. "Many TSA officers cannot pay their rent, buy food, or afford to put gas in their cars -- forcing them to call out sick from work. Now, Americans are facing HOURS long waits at airports across the country. Democrats must reopen DHS now."