March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Thursday that if a partial government shutdown continues small airports could soon shut down as 50,000 airport security officers go without pay.
Duffy said in a CNBC interview that if the standoff continues into next week, the government might have to take extraordinary steps.
He noted next week Transportation Security Administration airport security officers are set to miss another full paycheck on March 27 and said things are likely to get worse as that approaches.
"You're going to see small airports, I believe, shut down," Duffy said, saying the current long lines at some airports due to TSA shortages could be "child's play" compared to future disruptions.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
