Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is sounding the alarm to Congress as the ongoing government shutdown creates turmoil in air travel.

“We’re in a really serious situation right now. Almost half of all domestic flights in the U.S. have been canceled or delayed as of Sunday,” Johnson remarked to reporters on Monday.

He urged both Republican and Democratic members in the House to return to Washington, stating, “We need to act, and we need to do it quickly.”

The Speaker’s comments came as efforts in the Senate continue to seek a bipartisan resolution to the shutdown, which has now stretched into its 41st day.

Senate Action Could End Government Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to reduce air travel by 6% across the 40 busiest airports starting Tuesday, largely due to staffing issues stemming from the shutdown.

With thousands of federal workers furloughed, essential employees—including air traffic controllers and TSA staff—are continuing to work without pay. Many of these individuals report having to take second jobs just to support their families, which undoubtedly adds stress to their already challenging roles.

“Air travel is really struggling right now. Air traffic controllers are feeling overwhelmed and working under extreme pressure. This is compounded by the fact that many are calling in sick because, frankly, it’s tough to focus on work when you’re worried about making ends meet,” Johnson described.

This statement followed news that eight Senate Democrats had crossed party lines, joining Republicans to overcome a filibuster and break a prolonged deadlock that was part of the shutdown.

Democrats Join Forces with Republicans

Earlier in the day, Johnson mentioned to Fox News Digital that he plans to convene the House “immediately” after the Senate approves the bill. He indicated that this could happen quite soon.

“We’re looking at bringing everyone back with about 36 hours’ notice, likely early this week,” he noted.

The House has been out of session since September 19, when it passed a bill aimed at extending federal funding through November 21, aimed at preventing a shutdown. However, this proposal was rejected by Democrats, leading to a prolonged impasse that has jeopardized critical federal benefits and disrupted air travel for millions of Americans.