Where talks to fund DHS stand as shutdown reaches 40 days

John Yang:

With the Department of Homeland Security shutdown now at 40 days, TSA checkpoints are strained and workers face another missed paycheck. On Capitol Hill, we have started to see some action, but no deal so far.

Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins is here to help us understand.

Lisa, there seems to be something going on, offers, counteroffers. Where do things stand now?

Lisa Desjardins:

Right.

Well, remember, as I say, things can change quickly, but right now it is a bit of a mess. The key idea is still there to fund most of DHS except for ICE enforcement. That's the part of the agency that Democrats want to reform. But there are some sticking points. Let's look at those.

First of all, Democrats are leery of funding Customs and Border Protection and other subagencies that help ICE without any reforms. And the latest GOP offer does not include significant reforms. Now, Democrats want some things that Republicans flatly reject, like requiring tougher warrants and no masks.

Now, the top-level officials working on this here are the big names, President Trump, Leader Thune and Leader Schumer. But those leaders, each party, John, have rejected each other's offers. Now, it's easy to look at that, but I want to show -- tell people that there is something else to look at beneath the surface to figure out what's happening here.

For example, meetings like one I saw on the Senate floor today between a few senators, including Katie Britt, you can see them there in the top corner, and four key Democrats. Individual senators are trying to work out a deal. So don't pay attention to the back-and-forth necessarily of the leaders. That's usually part of the process.

I spoke to two of the senators in that floor meeting and they confirmed, yes, there are many conversations going. There is reason to hope because there are a lot of senators who want to figure this out.

John Yang:

Of course, we have seen headlines, pictures about the long TSA lines at airports. How else are people feeling this?

Lisa Desjardins:

Let's start right away with the DHS workers, everything from TSA to FEMA to the Coast Guard.

First of all, most of those workers again miss another paycheck at the end of this week. This is their third shutdown of the fiscal year. And I did the math by the way, John, and what this means is those workers, about 100,000 of them, have had pay, intermittent pay freezes for almost half of their fiscal year so far.

Now they will get back pay, but as a TSA administrator told Congress today, that doesn't help them with the bills now.

Ha Nguyen McNeil, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Administration:

Many in our work force have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their childcare, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line, and drained their retirement savings.

Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on jobs, second jobs, to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform.

Lisa Desjardins:

Another effect, the Coast Guard commandant said today that they aren't paying their contractors and they're worried they might not get fuel deliveries and literally the lights may be turned off.

John Yang:

You're becoming an expert on these government shutdowns.

How do you see this going on? Any prospects of this ending any time soon?

Lisa Desjardins:

Let me shock you, because I think the dynamics actually matter and there could be a solution.

Let's look at those dynamics again very quickly, first of all, again, workers missing a paycheck this week. That will be a month of missed pay. Congress is due to leave for a two-week recess at the end of this week. And, of course, John, spring travel is happening for families all across the country. Those are pressure points.

And, most of all, I see Democrats and Republicans who want a solution talking to each other. So stay tuned.

John Yang:

Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins, we certainly will be staying tuned.