Tom Cotton slams Democrats' 'temper tantrum' for fueling TSA chaos amid funding fight

He added that Democrats are pushing for reforms that would prevent ICE agents from wearing masks - a push most Republicans oppose.

"The reason why ICE officers wear masks is because radical left-wing Democrats will dox them and then their street militias will terrorize their wives and their kids at their houses," Cotton said.

"That's why the Democrats are inflicting long TSA lines on the American people."

The partisan gridlock has prompted a lengthy partial government shutdown that has led to TSA agents calling in sick while missing paychecks, lapses in staffing and hours-long wait times at major airports across the U.S.

Travelers at major airports have voiced their disquiet to Fox News in recent days.

"It's the division. Everyone should be unified and working together instead of just picking teams…" said another.