The government shutdown has now reached 37 days, being now the longest in duration that has ever happened. The previous record was set in 2019, during a presidency, and lasted 35 days.
Since the beginning of the crisis, thousands of federal employees have lost wages, while fears of air transport problems are growing. About 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay, which, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, could even lead to the temporary closure of parts of US airspace. “If we find ourselves in this position a week from now, there will be chaos: delays, cancellations, maybe even closures of areas of the airspace,” he warned.
4,000 flights per day to be cancelled
As the American government announced yesterday, Wednesday, Friday, in order to “reduce the pressure” on the flight control system, which is recording more and more absences and staff shortages due to the prolonged fiscal paralysis in the USA.
“We’re going to reduce the capacity” to operate flights “by 10% at 40 airports, some of the busiest in the country,” Sean Duffy explained during a press conference.
“We lack 2,000 air traffic controllers”, he clarified and added that the pressure should be “reduced”, the number of flights being supervised should be reduced.
– this is the longest shutdown in their history.
“The system is extremely secure today and will be tomorrow. If the pressure continues to increase, even after taking these measures, we will come back, we will take further measures,” he added.
Mr Bedford pointed out that he could not recall such a traffic reduction being requested in his “35-year career”.
“This is a very unusual situation. Our auditors have been unpaid for a month. We look forward to being able to work normally again.”
Unsuccessful votes and compromise attempts
The Republican-dominated Senate has repeatedly failed to pass the same temporary funding bill. On Tuesday, the 14th failed vote took place, with a result of 54 in favor and 44 against.
The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in September, but Democrats refuse to support it without expanding health care subsidies for low-income people, a request that Republicans call irrelevant to the budget.
Thune admitted that even if there is a deal, the original plan only funds the government until November 21, a date that now “doesn’t make sense”. “If we don’t see progress in the next few days, we will hardly be able to come to anything before the end of the week,” he noted.
Hopes for a deal before Thanksgiving
In recent days, some moderate lawmakers from both parties have signaled they are ready to sit down at the same table, hoping for a compromise before Thanksgiving on Nov. 27.
Despite signs of mobility, Washington is still counting losses and unpaid workers as the longest US government shutdown shows no signs of ending.
