Shutdown shortages force Miami to close terminal

Miami International Airport will close one of its terminals on Saturday because of staff shortages caused by the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government.

The Miami Herald reported that the airport will close its “G” terminal at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday to send Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents to other, busier checkpoints. The decision was made following a surge of call-outs from TSA workers at the airport as a result of December’s shutdown.

{mosads}“We felt we had to make a decision before the weekend,” airport spokesman Greg Chin told the Herald. “They’re erring on the side of caution.”

The terminal, which is utilizes for flights by United, Bahamas Air and other carriers will reopen on Sunday before again closing at 1:00 p.m., according to the Herald.

A spokeswoman for United Airlines told the newspaper that Miami customers would not notice a service disruption as a result of the terminal’s closure.

“We will work to ensure we do everything we can for our customers, and we do not expect any operational impact,” the spokeswoman said.

In a statement to The Hill, TSA representatives confirmed that the agency was working to “consolidate” limited resources during the shutdown, while working to ensure that airport security is not compromised.

“In an effort to optimize resources without degrading screening and security effectiveness, where it is feasible, TSA working with our stakeholders, may explore efforts to consolidate officers and operations,” spokesman Thomas Kelly wrote in an email.

Saturday will mark the 22nd day of a government shutdown affecting roughly 1/4 of the federal system, which began last month over a dispute between Congress and the White House over funding for a border wall.

President Trump has demanded $5.7 billion in funding for the wall in any appropriation package to reopen the government, which Democrats have said they will not provide.

The president told Democrats during a White House meeting last week that he would keep the government partially closed for months or even “years” over funding for the wall, while also threatening the possibility of declaring a national emergency to circumvent Congress and allocate the funds.