The Republican Party of Florida recently criticized U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Darren Soto (D-FL), accusing them of contributing to a "pointless" government shutdown that has left TSA (Transportation Security Agents) without pay and caused collateral chaos at some U.S. airports as some Americans head out for spring break.
“TSA agents shouldn’t be missing paychecks while politicians in Washington play games,” Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said in a statement. “Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto know ICE is already funded. They know this shutdown is pointless. Yet they keep it going anyway."
TSA is currently in a partial government shutdown due to a lack of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, the lapse has been over immigration reforms, with Democrats wanting changes largely to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after federal agents shot two U.S. citizens during enforcement operations in Minneapolis earlier this year.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, and TSA agents are currently going without pay over the shutdown. The partial shutdown has been in place for 30 days.
In a release, the GOP accused Reps. Moskowitz and Soto for having an "obsession" with prioritizing illegal aliens over Americans, and, in turn, affecting Florida's tourist season during spring break.
"That’s cowardly leadership and it shows exactly how little they care about Florida families, workers, and the communities that depend on tourism," Power commented.
Rep. Moskowitz, who represents Congressional District 23, and Rep. Soto, who represents Congressional District 9, are up for re-election in their respective seats. CD-23 covers portions of southern Palm Beach County and northern Broward County, while CD-9 covers Osceola County and portions of southern Orange County and northeastern Polk County in Central Florida.
Notably, Moskowitz indicated he would vote in favor of funding DHS if President Trump fired Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem was fired on Mar. 5.
