Today, the U.S. government shutdown would officially be on Day 36. If this milestone had been reached, it would have been a historic moment, since it would have been the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. President Donald Trump largely steered the ship during this record-breaking shutdown. Consequently, millions of Americans in communities all over the country have been plunged into unnecessary turmoil in recent years. With Democrats and Republicans both dug in on their differences for healthcare spending, the chances of a compromise seem slim.
As the shutdown continues, we highlight the ever-growing hurdles that these workers are facing as a result of the government shutdown. Sixty thousand air traffic controllers and optionally TSA officers are now working without pay. The White House has done us all a disservice by raising alarms about possible mayhem at airport check-in lines. This worry comes as a result of heightened absenteeism among essential personnel. Air travel is expected to hit new heights this Thanksgiving. With close to 5.8 million flying domestic, these are cause for alarm.
Federal programs—including the nation’s first line of defense against hunger—are witnessing hellish cuts that will continue with no relief in foreshadowed. The nearly month-long shutdown has already sent thousands of federal workers into difficult financial situations. This uncertainty is already putting tremendous stress on their families and communities.
Democrats argue that the increased cost of potential health insurance premiums would force Republicans to come to a compromise. Negotiations are now locked in a stalemate. Trump is still stubbornly against any compromise negotiations with Democrats. He refuses to meet their demands to extend bipartisan, expiring health insurance subsidies unless they first vote to reopen the government. He even called it an “extortion” scenario, pointing to the toxic relationship between the two parties.
As the deadlock drags on, a small group of centrist Democrats is trying to figure a path away from the standoff. Their efforts may prove to be the critical bridge between the two parties. Perhaps most importantly, they would go a long way toward ending the current shutdown. Trump is supposed to be meeting with Republican members of the Senate today to discuss more positive paths forward.
Flight delays and disruptions will be the new normal as long as this is how we ask our federal workers to do their jobs. This perfect storm of high travel volume and low staffing levels raises significant safety and operational efficiency concerns for aviation. This is especially alarming given that we are currently in one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
“extorting” – Donald Trump
