Budget cuts mean longer airport lines

By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

Budget cuts could lead to longer security lines at U.S. airports.

That's according to U.S. Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano, who warns cuts proposed by Republicans could slow air travelers.

"It will probably result in increases in wait times for passengers in the air environment and those could be significant," Reuters quotes Napolitano as saying to a Senate appropriations committee Wednesday.

Reuters writes Napolitano was "referring to the inability to buy more equipment and hire more security screeners."

Republicans, however, dispute Napolitano's claims.

An unnamed Republican congressional aide tells Reuters that the proposed budget is similar to the one for the 2010 fiscal year.

"It is the same funding level as last year and therefore makes sense that it would have little effect on wait times," says the aide, who refused to be identified to Reuters.

The funding bill in question has passed the House but faces hurdles in the Senate.

Posted Mar 3 2011 4:24PM

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