Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) issued statements in response to the delays to our aviation system caused by the absurd government shutdown.
“For 35 days, the dedicated air traffic controllers who guide 43,000 flights a day and keep millions of Americans safe each year have gone to work knowing that they will not be paid. Today marks the second time that our air traffic controllers will receive pay stubs that say zero dollars. Meanwhile, their bills are piling up and many are struggling to make ends meet. Every day that this absurd shutdown drags on, President Trump jeopardizes the safety and security of the largest, most complex aviation system in the world. Enough is enough. End this stupid, senseless shutdown, now,” said Chairman DeFazio (D-OR).
“U.S. aviation is the gold standard of flight because of our air traffic controllers and aviation workforce. Their work ensures the safety of the traveling public, keeps the aviation system running efficiently and enables passengers to reach their final destinations without incident. For more than a month, these essential personnel have been forced to work without pay, and often overtime under immensely stressful circumstances. This shutdown is hurting American families and the aviation economy, and is jeopardizing the safety of the largest, busiest, and most complex airspace system in the world. President Trump must end the shutdown now, put Americans back to work and ensure they get the back pay to which they are entitled,” said Chairman Larsen (D-WA).
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