‘We want a permanent budget signed:’ TSA workers react to government extension

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CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The spending bill Congress passed just before midnight Sunday will only fund the government through mid-November.

President Biden signed the ‘Stop Gap’ bill to avert a government shutdown late Saturday night.

However, 90 Republicans in the House and nine Republicans in the Senate voted against the bill pushed by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Now, some of them are threatening to oust him as punishment for backing the bipartisan measure.

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Things are running as normal at the security checkpoint inside the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday. Passengers are getting ready to take off and TSA employees are working with pay.

That is something Aaron Barker, president of the American Federation for Government Employees Local 554, said is a good thing.

“Of course, we are happy that no one has to go without pay at least for the next 45 days. That is always a very good thing not to have to worry about that,” said Barker.

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However, Barker said getting their federal paychecks almost came to a screeching halt. That is because Congress waited until the very last minute to come to an agreement.

Barker said thousands of federal workers are relieved, for now, but this could happen all over again next month.

“We want a permanent budget signed, not a continued resolution. So, the worry still looms. We just do not want the stress of worrying about if November 17 going to be another time when the government shuts down,” said Barker.

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Gary McConnel flies in and out of Atlanta often and he is also glad there is not going to be a federal shutdown for now.

He is concerned about whether Congress will agree on a permanent solution.

That will delay everything including travel.

“If you’re early enough you’re fine but general boarding will cause a lot more pressure to get there a lot earlier,” said McConnel.

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