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A Democratic lawmaker has endorsed the Trump administration’s decision to reduce air traffic at major U.S. airports as a safety measure during the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 38th day with no clear resolution in sight.
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) released a statement Thursday evening supporting Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s directive to decrease air traffic at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.
“Safety must always be the highest priority,” Stanton wrote on social media. “The decision by Secretary Duffy to reduce flights at America’s 40 busiest airports is the right call for the safety of the flying public.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 4% reduction in air traffic beginning Friday, with plans to increase that cut to 10% by November 14 if the shutdown continues. The emergency order cited the need to maintain “the highest standards of safety” amid staffing shortages caused by the shutdown.
The reduction affects Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which serves Stanton’s district encompassing parts of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs, including portions of Tempe and Mesa.
The congressman added a call for bipartisan cooperation: “Now it’s critical that Republicans and Democrats get together and reach a bipartisan agreement on a plan to reduce health costs and end the shutdown. Arizona deserves better, and so do the hardworking professionals who keep our skies safe.”
The government shutdown, which began 38 days ago, has forced thousands of federal employees to be furloughed as agencies and critical programs face dwindling funds. Workers deemed “essential” must continue working without pay, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers.
Many of these essential personnel have reportedly taken second jobs to cover expenses or called in sick when unable to work without pay, contributing to the staffing challenges that prompted the FAA’s decision.
The National Airspace System has been under increasing strain as the shutdown continues. Transportation experts warn that reduced staffing levels at control towers and TSA checkpoints could lead to cascading delays and potential safety concerns if not properly managed.
The crisis highlights the aviation industry’s vulnerability to government funding disruptions. Air traffic controllers require extensive specialized training, and the system cannot easily absorb significant personnel shortages without operational adjustments.
While Stanton supported the air traffic reduction, it’s worth noting he previously voted against the Republican funding proposal when it passed the House on September 19.
In Washington, bipartisan Senate negotiations to end the shutdown have yet to produce a viable solution. Democratic leaders have maintained that any funding deal must include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies from the COVID-19 era, which are scheduled to expire at year’s end. Republicans have pushed back, arguing against including such partisan policy provisions in a bill to end the shutdown.
The standoff continues to affect a wide range of federal services beyond air travel. As the shutdown approaches its sixth week, pressure is mounting on lawmakers from both parties to reach a compromise that would restore normal government operations and ensure federal workers receive their paychecks.
For travelers, the reduced flight capacity at major hubs like Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, and both Washington airports is likely to cause delays and disruptions heading into the holiday travel season if the shutdown persists, potentially affecting millions of Americans’ travel plans in the coming weeks.
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10 Comments
Kudos to the Democrat for putting safety first and supporting the air traffic reduction. This shutdown is creating real challenges for critical government functions. I hope lawmakers can find a compromise soon to end this impasse and restore normal operations.
The transportation secretary’s directive to cut air traffic sounds like a responsible move to protect public safety. Kudos to the Democratic lawmaker for endorsing this decision, even if it came from the opposing administration. Compromise and cooperation are essential right now.
It’s good to see bipartisan support for prioritizing air travel safety during the shutdown crisis. Reducing flights is a prudent measure to maintain high safety standards with limited staffing. Hopefully this galvanizes lawmakers to find a quick resolution to the impasse.
Reducing flights to maintain aviation safety is a prudent move, regardless of party affiliations. I’m glad to see both sides working together on this specific issue, even if they remain at odds on the broader shutdown dispute. Compromise is essential during crises like this.
While it’s good that the Democrat backed the air traffic cuts, I hope this doesn’t set a precedent of politicians from one party rubber-stamping decisions made by the other side’s administration. There needs to be robust oversight and scrutiny, even during a crisis.
That’s a fair point. Bipartisanship is important, but not at the expense of proper checks and balances. The public deserves to know that all decisions are being made with their best interests in mind.
It’s refreshing to see a Democrat backing a Trump administration decision, even if it’s just on the narrow issue of air traffic safety. Maintaining high aviation standards is critical, and I’m glad the two parties could find common ground on this specific measure during the ongoing shutdown crisis.
Agreed. Putting politics aside to ensure public safety is the responsible thing to do. Hopefully this spirit of bipartisanship can extend to resolving the broader shutdown impasse soon.
The air traffic cuts may be inconvenient, but safety has to be the top priority. I appreciate the Democrat’s endorsement of the Trump administration’s decision – it’s good to see some bipartisanship, even if it’s just on this one issue. Hopefully this sets the stage for more cooperation to resolve the shutdown.
Maintaining aviation safety has to be the top priority, regardless of political affiliation. This shutdown is putting a real strain on critical infrastructure and services. I’m glad to see both parties coming together on this issue to find a pragmatic solution.