Embattled Senator John Cornyn got an earful from a Democratic lawmaker who crashed the Texas Republican's press conference on Monday at the Austin airport.
Democratic Representative Greg Casar shamed Cornyn for bringing Transportation Security Administration workers Whataburgers - patties from a popular Texas chain - amid the partial government shutdown that revolves around Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding.
Democrats have agreed to funding just the TSA, while Republicans are holding out for full funding of the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, whose image has been battered after the killing of two Americans.
'Just last week, the Democrats, in the Senate and the House, offered a bill to fully fund TSA and Senator Cornyn and the Republicans blocked it,' Casar told a group of reporters who surrounded him. 'And so I'm sort of confused why Senator Cornyn would be here having a press conference at the airport about funding the TSA when it's him who has blocked the funding.'
When one of the journalists pushed back on Casar's claim, he admitted that Democrats refused to pass TSA funding bills that included ICE funding, but pointed to their willingness to pass a bill to simply fund the TSA.
'Senator Cornyn should put his money where his mouth is,' Casar then said.
At that moment, Cornyn showed up beside him - asking Casar why the Democrats were refusing to pay TSA workers.
'Let's do it, let's do it,' Casar responded.
Republican Senator John Cornyn (right) points his finger at Democratic Representative Greg Casar (left) outside the Austin airport Monday as the two Texans tussled over TSA funding
'No, you do it!' Cornyn shot back, pointing his finger.
'Let's talk for a second senator,' the Democrat said. 'There's a bipartisan bill to fund just the TSA, can we do that together?'
Cornyn called the idea 'not acceptable.'
The Republican pointed to the recent mass shooting on Austin's Sixth Street calling it a 'terrorist attack.'
'Do you want those to continue?' he asked Casar, who represents parts of Austin and San Antonio. 'These people are keeping us safe. Tell the Democrats to vote for funding the DHS.'
Casar replied, 'let's talk about each one.'
'Would you fund the TSA with me, no?' the Democrat asked.
At that point an aide interrupted to say it was time to pass out the Whataburgers, with Cornyn walking away.
The public spat comes as Republican Senator John Cornyn is fighting for his political future as he faces a runoff race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. President Donald Trump has said he'll endorse one of the Republicans, but hasn't done so yet
'Instead of bringing people burgers, he should bring them their paychecks. Which involves funding TSA,' Casar told reporters. 'He's refused to fund TSA, so he's bringing them burgers.'
The tiff comes as Cornyn battles for his political future.
Cornyn is competing in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the Senate seat he's held since 2002.
His rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is the more MAGA-aligned candidate.
President Donald Trump chose not to endorse ahead of the primary.
The day after the election, Trump teased that he would get behind either Cornyn or Paxton - and demand the other candidate drop out ahead of the May runoff election.
The Atlantic reported that Trump was likely to select Cornyn, since he came in ahead of Paxton and polls better against the Democrats' pick, state Representative James Talarico.
Nearly two weeks have gone by and Trump still hasn't selected a candidate.
The Department of Homeland Security's short-term funding expired on Feb. 14, marking a nearly five-week span during which the agency has been partially shut down.
