Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday that air traffic controllers “don’t get any money” as a result of the ongoing government shutdown.
“The first day is hard, but the second day is even harder than that. And the third day. Because they have gas, they have childcare costs,” Duffy said.
According to Fox News, Duffy shared one controller’s personal story where he was unable to pay for his daughter’s travel expenses because he is no longer receiving a check.
“It’s tragic. But here’s what’s even worse. Democrats aren’t voting to open up the government,” he added.
Duffy stressed that Americans flying today remain safe, crediting controllers who are still showing up to work.
“You are safe to fly because these controllers come in, they’re the most amazing professionals. They do their job, they keep you safe. But again, I don’t want them driving DoorDash. I don’t want them going to the food bank. I want them focused on keeping you safe.”
The Senate is expected to consider a bill from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to ensure air traffic controllers receive pay during the shutdown. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not yet brought the bill forward, saying Republicans will “see what the temperature is of our senators” but reiterated the “easiest way” to pay federal workers is to reopen the government.
Democrats have pushed back, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., arguing that incremental funding bills cannot give President Donald Trump “carte blanche to do what he wants.”
When asked about criticism from Republicans, Blumenthal said, “Air traffic controllers have been really admirable in coming to work and doing their job.”
Cruz countered, saying, “That the Democrats not paying air traffic controllers is reckless.”
About 13,000 air traffic controllers are employed across the U.S., many already working six-day weeks due to staffing shortages. Because they are classified as essential workers, they must continue working during the shutdown without pay and are only guaranteed back pay once it ends.
Duffy warned many controllers are now being forced to seek second jobs:
“If you have a controller that’s working six days a week but has to think about, ‘How am I going to pay the mortgage… put food on my kid’s table?’ They have to make choices… I don’t want them delivering for DoorDash. I don’t want them driving Uber. I want them coming to their facilities and controlling the airspace.”
Travelers are already feeling the strain. Over the weekend, Los Angeles International Airport issued a temporary ground stop due to controller shortages — one of 22 airports experiencing staffing-related disruptions.
There were more than 8,700 delayed flights Sunday and thousands more Monday, according to FlightAware data. Airports in Dallas, Austin, and Newark also faced ground delay or ground stop conditions due to staffing.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., suggested that mounting travel chaos could soon increase pressure on Senate Democrats:
“I think the air traffic control has the most potential to light this place up.”
He added that if senators themselves can’t fly home, negotiations may move quickly:
“If the senators can’t go home Thursday night because of air traffic control issues, then I think it really could be a pressure point.”
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