Trending Now - Texas Lawmakers Debate DHS Funding Amid Airport Delays

WHO:

Senator John Cornyn, Republican, Texas

Congressman Greg Casar, Democratic, Texas

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees

Attorney General Ken Paxton, Republican, Texas

Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic House Minority Leader

Adam Smith, Democratic Congressman, Washington

Mary Schiavo, former Department of Transportation inspector general

WHAT:

Cornyn and Casar engaged in a heated exchange over DHS funding on March 16th, 2026.

TSA employees missed their first full paycheck due to the DHS shutdown on March 13th, 2026.

Cornyn brought lunch to TSA employees working without pay.

Approximately 300 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began.

TSA employee absences have more than doubled since the shutdown began.

Democrats control 214 seats in the House of Representatives.

A petition needs 218 signatures to force a vote on DHS funding legislation.

WHERE:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas

Washington, D.C.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington, Virginia

William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas

WHEN:

DHS has been without funding since mid-February 2026.

The DHS shutdown entered its fifth week on March 16th, 2026.

Cornyn and Casar's exchange occurred on March 16th, 2026.

Democrats attempted to pass legislation to fund DHS operations on March 10th, 2026.

WHY:

Democrats refused to authorize DHS operations unless Republicans agreed to new restrictions on immigration enforcement.

Cornyn accused Casar of not compromising to secure Trump's endorsement in the Senate race.

Casar criticized Cornyn for not supporting a full-year DHS appropriations bill.

HOW:

Cornyn and Casar's confrontation occurred outside the airport as Cornyn held a news conference.

Democrats proposed legislation to fund only TSA while negotiating broader immigration issues.

Cornyn stated that funding discussions should occur after TSA employees are paid.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:29 UTC)

In a heated exchange outside Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on March 16, Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Greg Casar clashed over Department of Homeland Security funding, which has been stalled since mid-February. TSA employees missed their first full paycheck due to the ongoing shutdown, leading to approximately 300 resignations and a doubling of employee absences, while Cornyn brought lunch to those working without pay. Democrats control 214 seats in the House, and a petition requiring 218 signatures is needed to force a vote on DHS funding legislation, as both sides remain at an impasse over immigration enforcement restrictions.