Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy expressed serious concerns on Thursday about potential travel issues for Thanksgiving if the government shutdown continues. They spoke after a roundtable discussion at the White House focused on the shutdown’s impact on the aviation industry, where they heard from various aviation leaders.
Vance pointed out that air traffic controllers have not received paychecks during this shutdown, which is causing stress among aviation professionals. He emphasized that while Americans should not fear flying, the situation could lead to staffing issues. For example, pilots and air traffic controllers, who are missing paychecks, might consider leaving their jobs, which could result in delays for travelers.
Duffy added that as November approaches, more Americans will travel for the holidays, and inclement weather could exacerbate the situation. He warned that travel disruptions are likely if the shutdown persists, stating that October has been relatively calm due to good weather and lower travel volumes. However, as Thanksgiving nears, the increase in travelers could lead to significant problems.
Both officials urged Senate Democrats to pass a "clean continuing resolution" to reopen the government. Vance noted that they need support from more moderate Democrats to prioritize the needs of the American people. He called for a cooperative approach to address healthcare policy and other issues, but emphasized that reopening the government must come first.
In summary, the Vice President and Transportation Secretary highlighted the urgency of resolving the shutdown to avoid travel chaos during the busy Thanksgiving period.
