GOP leaders warn that airports will face a surge of cancellations if Democrats do not compromise.

Republicans Criticize Democrats Over Airport Issues Amid Shutdown

On Tuesday, Republican Representatives Tom Emmer from Minnesota and Lisa McClain of Michigan called out Democrats for contributing to ongoing difficulties in air travel during the government shutdown.

“At the busiest travel time of the year, airports are going to be swamped with canceled and delayed flights,” House Majority Whip Emmer stated. McClain joined him at a press conference, alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders.

McClain expressed her frustration, saying, “While TSA agents and air traffic controllers are working without pay, Democrats are acting like they won’t take action until planes start falling from the sky. Seriously? This is the Democratic approach?”

The Hill has reached out to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for their response.

In the Department of Transportation’s shutdown contingency plan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already furloughed over 11,000 employees, roughly 25% of its staff. Additionally, over 13,000 air traffic controllers are currently working without pay as the shutdown, which started on October 1, continues. Training and employment processes are still in place despite the situation.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated during an October 6 press conference that more and more air traffic controllers are reporting feeling unwell, which raises concerns. A few days later, while on FOX Business’s “Varney & Company,” he added that employees could face termination for taking sick leave.

He emphasized the need for both more controllers and highly dedicated ones, stating, “If we don’t have the committed controllers we need, we have to let them go.” Duffy also noted that the percentage of flight delays caused by a lack of controllers had increased dramatically from 5% before the shutdown to 53% now.

Last week, various airports nationwide, from Burbank to Atlanta, reported staffing shortages and confusion.

According to aviation tracking websites, nearly 3,000 flights were delayed and over 120 canceled as of Tuesday, affecting travel both domestically and internationally.

During the previous government shutdown in January 2019, a similar surge in sick calls among air traffic controllers led to significant delays, particularly along the East Coast.