Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) are responding to congressional Republicans and their criticisms by accusing them of blocking funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The response comes after recent Republican initiatives to pin all the blame on Senate Democrats, especially those up for reelection this year.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently released a video advertisement highlighting TSA shortages at Hartsfield-Jackson airport. According to the NRSC, Sen. Ossoff is primarily responsible.
Sen. Ossoff
Sen. Ossoff released a statement in response, laying the blame on Senate Republicans for blocking several attempts by Democrats to secure funding.
“Democrats have tried to fund TSA six times in two weeks. Republican obstruction is denying TSA workers pay and creating havoc at airports,” Sen. Ossoff commented. “While negotiations continue over ICE, there is no reason TSA should be held hostage. Republicans must stop blocking TSA funding immediately.”
After blocking a seventh attempt, Sen. Ossoff released another statement, acknowledging the central issue: funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He added, “Donald Trump’s obstruction is denying TSA workers pay and creating havoc at airports. While negotiations continue over ICE, there is no reason TSA should be held hostage. Republicans must stop blocking TSA funding immediately.”
Sen. Warnock
Sen. Warnock took to X to express his frustration with Senate Republicans, claiming that they have decided to upend the Senate’s business for the sake of the SAVE Act.
TSA workers have not been fully paid in 30+ days.
Yet Republicans here in Washington have literally decided to suspend the business of the Senate to solely focus on ramming through their voter suppression bill.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 23, 2026
He followed this statement by claiming that President Trump is using the TSA as leverage to secure passage of the SAVE Act and downplayed the seriousness of this attempt.
We now know why Republicans in DC have been blocking TSA funding.
It’s because President Trump wants to use TSA as leverage to pass his voter suppression bill.
Enough with the games. Fund TSA now.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 23, 2026
