Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) says “people’s lives are being hurt right now” as the partial government shutdown over President Donald Trump’s border wall enters its third week.

Some 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay during the stalemate. The president said he's willing to continue the shutdown for months or years until Congress gives $5.6 billion toward a wall at the southern border.

The president tweeted about the shutdown and workers affected Saturday.

"I don't care that most of the workers not getting paid are Democrats, I want to stop the Shutdown as soon as we are in agreement on Strong Border Security!"

 

"This is no way to negotiate," says Rep. Suozzi. "Politics should not be what matters here. Doing what's right should matter.”

The shutdown is taking its toll. TSA agents, who are working without pay, are reportedly calling out sick at higher rates during the shutdown.

The agency responded to reports with this statement: "Call outs began over the holiday period and have increased, but are causing minimal impact given there are 51,739 employees supporting the screening process."

 

The shutdown is having an impact beyond federal workers. Anyone looking for a tax refund may have to wait until after the impasse is solved. The IRS can't make refund pay outs during the shutdown.

The House of Representatives moved to pass appropriations bills to reopen the government and deal with border security. Republican Rep. Peter King, of Seaford, was among those who voted for it.

Rep. Suozzi says he just wants to see the shutdown end for the sake of workers affected.

"We shouldn't be holding all these people's lives hostage because he's trying to negotiate a deal for an issue he wants," says Rep. Suozzi.

President Trump says leaders from both sides will meet again Sunday.