With the federal shutdown entering its sixth week, pressure is mounting on Congress to pass a continuing resolution before the holiday travel rush.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that prolonged furloughs and rising absenteeism among TSA and FAA employees could trigger widespread delays, cancellations, and even partial airspace closures, according to Yahoo News. The warning comes as millions prepare to fly for Thanksgiving amid strained federal services.
Major airlines and industry groups, including United, Delta, American and Southwest, have endorsed a “clean” stopgap funding bill to stabilize operations, USA Today reported. Carriers cautioned that a prolonged shutdown could ripple through the economy and upend peak-season travel.
Bipartisan cracks are also showing as Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, sided with Republicans in a vote to reopen the government, citing the urgency of core programs like SNAP, Fox News reported. His move underscores broader concern over worker pay disruptions and service slowdowns.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, has expressed guarded optimism that a framework could emerge soon, The Hill reported. But negotiators remain at odds over some of the finer points, leaving timing uncertain.
With Thanksgiving approaching and federal staffing stretched, aviation stakeholders say the window to avert major disruption is closing. Whether a short-term funding deal can land in time remains an open question.
In Georgia, Americans for Prosperity-Georgia State Director Tony West is calling on liberal U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to vote to end the shutdown.
“By continuing to vote to keep the government closed, Senators Ossoff and Warnock are putting the interests of Chuck Schumer and the Progressive Left above those of everyday, hardworking Georgians,” West said.
“Georgians want leaders who work for them, not rubber stamp votes for the partisan priorities of the day,” West added. “Georgia’s senators should support a clean funding bill and reopen the government so they can best serve the people they were elected to represent.”