---
title: "Sean Duffy Says Democrats Ready To 'Jeopardize' Travel Amid DHS Shutdown: 'Shameful'"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/279737243.md"
description: "Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized Democrats for the ongoing DHS shutdown, which has lasted 33 days, claiming it jeopardizes travel and affects TSA employees who are missing paychecks. Duffy accused Democrats of prioritizing their agenda over public safety. The shutdown has led to financial struggles for TSA workers, with some resorting to donating blood plasma to make ends meet. Additionally, the U.S.-Iran war has exacerbated travel issues, causing flight cancellations and increased fuel costs for airlines."
datetime: "2026-03-19T07:02:49.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/279737243.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/279737243.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279737243.md)
---

> Supported Languages: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/279737243.md) | [繁體中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/279737243.md)


# Sean Duffy Says Democrats Ready To 'Jeopardize' Travel Amid DHS Shutdown: 'Shameful'

Transportation Secretary **Sean Duffy** has slammed the Democratic Party for prolonging the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which is set to enter day 33.

## Democrats Jeopardizing Travel

In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Duffy slammed Democratic lawmakers for the stalemate leading to the partial shutdown. "Democrats are saying the QUIET part out loud," he said in the post, adding that the lawmakers were "willing to jeopardize YOUR TRAVEL" to further their "radical, America Last agenda," he said.

> Democrats are saying the QUIET part out loud 🗣️  
>   
> They're willing to jeopardize YOUR TRAVEL in order to push their radical, America Last agenda  
>   
> SHAMEFUL https://t.co/wl0hk2E2EK
> 
> — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 18, 2026

Duffy had quoted an article by Axios, which shared that a democratic lawmaker, Rep. **Don Beyer** (D-VA), said that the shutdown was "making people hurt" and could affect the party's popularity.

House Minority Leader **Hakeem Jefferies** (D-NY), meanwhile, wrote a letter that outlined the Democrats' move to introduce a funding package that would cover multiple agencies within the DHS, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

## TSA Employees Miss Paychecks

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees missed their paycheck as the TSA's Union Secretary-Treasurer of the Bargaining Unit, **Johnny Jones**, outlined that some of his colleagues were "donating blood plasma" to pay the bills.

Duffy had earlier criticized the Democrats and Senate Minority Leader **Chuck Schumer** (D-NY) for prolonging the government shutdown. Meanwhile, **Airlines for America** CEO **Chris Sununu** also warned against prolonging the shutdown.

As stated above, the ongoing shutdown arises from a stalemate between lawmakers, with Democrats demanding reforms within ICE that include judicial warrants, body cameras for ICE agents and the removal of face masks.

## War In Iran Adds To Chaos

Meanwhile, the U.S.-Iran war has added to travelers' woes, with thousands of flights canceled and delayed. Fuel costs also surged due to supply constraints as **Delta Air Lines Inc.** (NYSE:DAL) CEO **Ed Bastian** shared that the ongoing U.S.-Iran war has resulted in over $400 million in additional charges for the airline due to surging jet fuel costs.

_Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by_ following this link.

_Photo courtesy: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com_

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