Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) clashed on Monday over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) while in front of the airport in Austin.

“Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) & Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) get into face to face confrontation about TSA being unfunded while in front of the airport in Austin. It appears Cornyn was delivering burgers/lunch to TSA workers. Rep. Casar said ‘he should bring them their paychecks,'” Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin said.

Footage below:

Fox News explained further:

The shouting match comes as the DHS shutdown entered its fifth week Monday, with negotiations to end the stalemate appearing to stall in recent weeks. Senate Democrats near unanimously blocked a Republican effort Thursday to fully fund the agency, citing opposition to spending measures that do not rein in immigration enforcement.

Cornyn, who is vying against Attorney General Ken Paxton, R-Texas, in a runoff election for a fifth Senate term, held a news conference outside the Austin airport on Monday to protest Democrats’ refusal to fully fund DHS. Casar, who represents the Austin area, crashed the event before Cornyn arrived.

The airport is currently advising passengers to arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure due to a shortage of TSA workers.

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Cornyn also brought lunch to TSA employees who are reporting to work without pay — a gesture that Casar criticized.

“Instead of bringing people burgers, he should bring them their paychecks,” Casar told reporters in response to the Whataburger haul following the altercation.

More than 300 TSA employees have left the agency since the ongoing DHS shutdown began.

Hundreds Of TSA Officers Resign Amid DHS Shutdown

“3+ hour TSA lines for travelers. 300+ TSA officers who have quit. A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve. Enough is enough,” TSA stated.

“No more playing politics with the lives of Americans. The Democrat shutdown of DHS must end now,” it added.

The Hill has more:

The Texas representative attempted to debate the DHS impasse outside the Ausin airport.

“Let’s talk for a second, Senator. There’s a bipartisan bill to fund just the TSA. Can we do that?” he asked Cornyn.

Cornyn said, “It’s not acceptable … How about all the terrorist attacks like we see down on 6th Street? You want those to continue? These people are keeping us safe. Tell the Democrats to vote for funding the DHS,” before walking away.

Casar continued to present his issues to the press.

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“Instead of bringing people burgers, he should bring them their paychecks, which involves funding TSA. He’s refused to fund TSA, so he’s bringing up burgers,” Casar said.

“He’s over here talking about funding ICE. But when I asked him about funding TSA, he said he wouldn’t fund TSA,” he added.

Bills to fund DHS have failed to pass four times in the upper chamber. Lawmakers are expected to continue debating the topic this week with votes to follow.

 

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