No group escaped the ire of travelers as some estimated they had to walk miles to get behind the security line and wait several hours to catch their flights at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Fox News Digital asked travelers waiting in line at Bush who they believe is to blame for the long wait times. Another traveler named Tim simply replied: “Politicians.”
On Thursday, the Bush lines went in and out, asking for luggage, and out the doors and subway tunnels. One traveler, who has not been named, estimated that he and his family had to walk two kilometers to get to the back of the line.
While many arrived several hours before their scheduled departure times, those who didn’t were seen looking for terminals with thin lines.
When asked who was to blame, one guest, who did not identify himself, replied: “All members of congress.”
“Everybody, regardless of what team they’re in,” he added. “They just need to do their jobs.”
Another, named The Lancet, noted the Democrats, who wanted to defund the Department of Homeland Security in accordance with the broader reforms of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.
“I mean, honestly, look, the Democrats didn’t vote to defund DHS. And they’re the ones paying for the TSA from what I know,” Lancet said. Therefore, without paying people, it is obvious that they will not work.
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport was among the airports hardest hit by the partial government shutdown, which resulted in TSA agents missing payments for more than 40 days.
About 500 TSA agents have quit, and as of Friday, the agency has missed $1 billion in pay.
The shutdown was caused in part by disagreements in Congress over the use of ICE and Border Patrol immigration laws in US cities, with Democrats making funding dependent on major changes in tactics and policy.
On Thursday night, the Senate passed a bill to fund most of DHS, including TSA, but not the final one. The House still needs to approve the measure and send it to the president before funding can begin and workers can be paid.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday directing federal officials to ensure TSA workers are paid, calling the ongoing shutdown an “emergency.”
Another traveler named Kevin, who was waiting in a security line in an underground tunnel with a malfunctioning air conditioner, did not hold back.
“Anyone who votes for a Democrat after this should be deported,” Kevin said. “This is a Democrat draft.”
At the front of the same line, which was in the middle of the subway tunnel at the airport, a traveler named April replied, “I don’t know to be honest with you, but the construction doesn’t help either.”
“I have to go to Terminal A and Terminal E and back and forth, yeah, it wasn’t good,” he added.
Another traveler named Maria, who despite the line had a big smile and showed a positive attitude, told Fox News Digital, “You know what?
“I’ve been flying for many, many years, so I know. I’ve got to get to the airports soon, guys. Get your Subway, get your Starbucks, and go to the airports,” he laughed, smiling.
“I don’t know, man, I don’t like politics about these things,” replied a traveler named Pinal. “It is what it is, and we’re all doing processes right now.”
“There are many people to blame,” said a woman who did not identify herself. “But at least I think the important part is that everyone works together to try to be as efficient as possible. I got here at 10, and my flight is at 1:30, so I got there in enough time, hopefully.”
“It’s just division,” commented a young man named Nick. “Everyone should be one, work together, instead of just picking groups and fighting each other, you know?”
“People prefer to be part of a team rather than focus on a solution,” Nick continued. “If we could focus more on the problem and work together instead of focusing on the differences, I think that would be a big change. But it’s hard, man.”
