Baltimore airport forced to close security checkpoint due to TSA callouts

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport was forced to close a security checkpoint Saturday and exercise a contingency plan due to "excessive callouts" by TSA agents.

The big picture: TSA agents and other airport personnel have been working without pay for almost an entire month, with the government shutdown now on its 29th day. Lawmakers have speculated that pressure on the U.S. aviation system — if it reaches a point of total dysfunction — could be the breaking point that leads to President Trump and Democrats striking a deal to reopen the government.

Go deeper: Government shutdown strains U.S. aviation system