Flight delays worsen as unpaid air traffic controllers feel government shutdown pain
U.S. airline travelers are beginning to feel the effects of the ongoing government shutdown. And with no clear end in sight, it's increasingly likely that Americans could be grappling with...
By Fox News · Fox News
U.S. airline travelers are beginning to feel the effects of the ongoing government shutdown . And with no clear end in sight, it's increasingly likely that Americans could be grappling with flight delays and cancellations just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Tuesday marks Day 28 of the shutdown. It's also the first day that air traffic controllers and other federal workers will see a paycheck showing $0 — putting added strain on a sector that is already dealing with a declining workforce and difficult employment conditions. "This Democrat-led shutdown is putting an unnecessary strain on our nation’s aviation system, putting more flights at risk for delays or cancellation," Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, chair of the House Transportation Committee's aviation subcommittee, told Fox News Digital. After speaking with air traffic controllers directly, Nehls said, "They’ve shared their growing concerns about fatigue, distraction and financial hardship as they continue performing essential work without pay." BATTLEGROUND REPUBLICANS HOLD THE LINE AS JOHNSON PRESSURES DEMS ON SHUTDOWN "The busy holiday season is quickly approaching, and the traveling public deserves a safe, efficient, and reliable travel experience. If Senate Democrats continue to refuse to do the right thing and pass the clean continuing resolution, the situation will only get worse," Nehls said. Still, the looming payday hasn't loosened Senate Democrats from their dug-in position. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., argued that the blame game against Democrats over air traffic controllers, and other looming issues like federal food benefits soon running out of money, were "all things that the Republicans have been cutting back on." He noted to Fox News Digital that the administration fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees earlier this year based on recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "These are things that they've constantly been attacking and putting the stra…