U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, left, and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, right, square off during an impromptu debate over DHS funding on Monday. Credit: X / Andrew Lamparski

AUSTIN — A publicity stunt organized by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, to hand-deliver Whataburgers to furloughed TSA agents on Monday went awry after it crashed by Democratic Congressman Greg Casar.

As reporters waited outside Austin’s airport terminal for Cornyn to show up with his special delivery, Casar casually walked up to the press gaggle and began taking shots at Cornyn, TV station KXAN reports.

“I’m confused as to why Senator Cornyn would be here having a press conference at the airport about funding TSA, when it is him that has blocked the funding,” said Casar, a progressive who represents the Austin area.

Moments later, a surprised-looking Cornyn pulled up in a white pickup truck, as seen in a clip of the encounter tweeted by Texas Tribune reporter Kayla Guo.

“Why don’t you tell your Democrats to pay these people?” Cornyn replied, referring to the TSA agents.

The two politicos locked in a heated exchange, arguing over each other in raised tones over whose party is at fault for the ongoing partial government shutdown.

“How about those terrorist attacks like the ones we’ve seen down at 6th Street?” Cornyn quipped. “Do you want those to continue? These people are keeping us safe. Tell the Democrats to vote for funding the DHS.”

Cornyn was referring to a recent shooting at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, that claimed the lives of two college students in addition to the gunman. Although the FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism connected to the ongoing War in Iran, they have yet to officially make that ruling.

Cornyn then walked inside to deliver the burgers.

“Instead of bringing people burgers, he should bring them their paychecks,” Casar said, pointing at Cornyn.

The confrontation between Casar, who’s running for Texas’ 37th Congressional district after being drawn out of his current seat, and Cornyn, an incumbent fighting for his political survival against Attorney General Ken Paxton in a GOP Senate runoff, comes as the partial government shutdown entered its 30th day.

The shutdown began Feb. 14 after Democrats refused to pass additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a department that oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats moved to stall ICE funding amid growing anger about the Trump White House’s aggressive immigration crackdowns.

Casar and other Democrats refused to pass a steep funding increase for DHS without increased oversight and restrictions on ICE after the shooting death of at least three U.S. citizens, including San Antonio man Ray Ruben Martinez.

Friday marked the first time during the current shutdown that TSA agents missed a full paycheck, leading some to walk off the job during the height of Spring Break travel.

As a result, security wait times at airports in Austin and Houston exceeded several hours in recent days.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...