Sununu Slams Congress Over DHS Funding Deal Failure

Sununu Criticizes Congress for DHS Funding Stalemate

Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, expressed strong disappointment with Congress’s failure to reach a deal on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Speaking six months into his new role, Sununu highlighted that the ongoing issues have led to two government shutdowns, impacting essential workers and the public.

Workers Left Unpaid, Public Held Hostage

Sununu drew a stark comparison between private businesses and the federal government. “If you are a private business, if [Airlines for America] decided not to pay their employees, the federal government would shut you down,” he stated. He emphasized the unfairness of federal employees, particularly Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers, working without pay. “God bless all these TSOs, TSA agents on the front lines, all these weeks without pay,” Sununu added, calling it “embarrassing.”

He criticized lawmakers for holding the American public and essential workers “hostage” over political disagreements. Sununu noted that while political fights are understandable, they should not come at the expense of the nation’s security and the livelihoods of its workers. “We have to release the public from our political nonsense,” he urged.

Signs of Progress Amidst Frustration

Despite his criticism, Sununu pointed to recent developments that offered a glimmer of hope. “What we’re hearing in the past hour is that things are actually moving in a more positive direction,” he reported. He credited the new DHS Secretary, former Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, for his efforts. Mullen, with his extensive relationships across the aisle, is seen as a key figure in bridging the divide.

Sununu also noted the urgency driven by an approaching two-week congressional recess. “They all want to go home Friday, and they have a two-week recess,” he said, adding, “if that’s what gets a deal done, great.” He expressed hope that the focus on wording changes meant a resolution was not far off, especially concerning the funding of TSA and air traffic controllers, issues with broad public and bipartisan support.

A Bipartisan Issue Ignored

Sununu found it shocking that an issue with such widespread agreement—funding for TSA and air traffic controllers—had taken so long to resolve. “It’s a shocking that you have an issue with 90% of America agrees completely bipartisan, yet it’s taken 40 over…” he lamented. He suggested that both sides of the aisle had, at different times, entrenched themselves in positions that hindered progress.

He specifically mentioned a significant concession offered by President Trump regarding the removal of Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sununu expressed surprise that Democrats did not reciprocate this move with more flexibility, especially considering the promise of substantial policy changes and a cultural shift within DHS. “The Dems weren’t giving in,” he observed.

Advice for Travelers and Lingering Concerns

As the situation remained fluid, Sununu advised travelers to continue with their plans but to stay informed. He recommended using airline apps for updates, particularly for the “dozen hot spots” experiencing significant delays, while noting that most airports were operating normally. He explained that long lines often resulted from a combination of reduced staffing and passengers arriving much earlier than usual.

Sununu also acknowledged the security concerns arising from crowded TSA checkpoints. “Anytime you’re putting pressure on the system, there’s always a security risk,” he stated. He stressed that a one-time fix would not suffice, as the public remembers the disruptions and expects Congress to implement long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.

Looking Ahead

While expressing cautious optimism about a resolution in the immediate hours or days, Sununu urged Congress to consider the long-term implications. The hope is that the current momentum leads to a lasting agreement that protects both national security and the well-being of federal workers, ensuring that the American public is no longer subjected to political gridlock.

Source: 'They should all be ashamed and blamed': Sununu on Congress failing to reach DHS deal (YouTube)