CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

OK, Fine, Give TSA Agents Back Pay … But Then Send Them Home For Good

Photograph Source: Michael Ball – Public Domain

At airports across the US, Transportation Security Administration agents have been “working” — that is, impeding, harassing, ogling, and groping air travelers — without pay since Valentine’s Day due to a congressional feud over funding for their parent department.

Well, some of them, anyway. Several hundred have quit; quite a few are calling in sick more often.

On March 27, US president Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to start paying TSA employees again, using “funds that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations.” They may start getting paid again as soon as Monday.

They should also STOP getting paid again as soon as possible. Permanently.

The very existence of the TSA has been a costly 25-year mistake. Now, with the DHS funding dispute still in full swing, it’s time to correct that mistake........

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