WASHINGTON — As the Democrat Shutdown enters its fifth week, disruptions are spreading across America’s aviation system. Flights are delayed and tens of thousands of federal employees are working without pay.
More than a month ago, House Republicans passed a clean, responsible continuing resolution to keep the government open and pay our air traffic controllers. But Democrats are repeatedly choosing to keep it closed — hurting workers and families.
Now, as the shutdown drags on, travelers heading into the holiday and fall sports travel season are facing widespread flight delays, cancellations, and airport disruptions.
REMINDER — THIS IS THE DEMOCRAT POSITION:
FLIGHTS GROUNDED AND DELAYED NATIONWIDE
- The Department of Transportation reports that 53% of all flight delays are now caused by staffing shortages — up from about 5% under normal conditions.
- Flights into Los Angeles International Airport — the nation’s fifth-busiest — were stopped this past weekend because of an air traffic controller shortage.
- Between October 18 and 20, roughly 19,000 flights were delayed and 1,600 were canceled nationwide.
- At Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, the control tower was unstaffed for six hours, forcing pilots to self-coordinate takeoffs and landings — an unprecedented safety breakdown.
THE CONSEQUENCES ARE GROWING
Thanks to the Democrat Shutdown, tens of thousands of workers are going without pay, inspections are stalled, and travelers are facing mounting delays and cancellations nationwide.
- 60,000 federal aviation safety employees — including air traffic controllers and TSA officers — have gone unpaid since the shutdown began.
- The FAA has said that roughly 11,000 employees, including safety inspectors and technical staff, will be furloughed.
- The agency has also paused field training and halted new hiring — despite already being short more than 2,800 controllers before the shutdown began.
- The U.S. Travel Association estimates the shutdown is costing the travel economy more than $1 billion per week in lost activity.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS SOUND THE ALARM
Many air traffic controllers are now taking second jobs, driving for Uber or delivering for DoorDash after grueling shifts “just to keep their families afloat.”
An air traffic controller forced to do their critical job without knowing when they’ll be paid said:
“The financial anxiety doesn’t just hurt morale; it directly affects safety. When someone responsible for thousands of lives a day is worrying about whether they can pay rent or feed their kids, focus suffers. Sometimes that small moment where your mind is elsewhere can have serious impacts.”
These are our men and women performing one of the most stressful and important jobs in America — with no margin for error — and Democrats are holding their paychecks hostage.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Democrats knew the risks, the warnings, and the consequences of their shutdown — and did it anyway.
They shut down the government. They stranded travelers. And now, they’re holding air traffic controllers hostage — demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending, taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants, and hundreds of millions for leftist media outlets.
Republicans are ready to reopen the government and end the disruptions today. Democrats just have to say yes.
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