Washington, D.C.—Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Representative Andre Carson (D-IN) released the following statements as air traffic controllers began receiving notice of their first missed full paycheck because of the Republican shutdown.
“Air traffic controllers do invaluable work to keep travelers safe, and the notice of their first missed full paycheck needlessly adds more stress to an already difficult job,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “Controllers should never have to wonder where they will find money to pay their mortgage or put food on the table. Republicans must fix the healthcare crisis they created and end this shutdown. Enough is enough.”
“Air traffic controllers already perform one of the most stressful jobs in the transportation industry, and not knowing when your next paycheck is coming adds significantly to this stress,”Representative Carson said. "Their job requires managing the traffic of multiple passenger and cargo aircraft simultaneously, which is physically and mentally stressful. We have an obligation not only to these hardworking civil servants, but also to the flying public to ensure air traffic controllers are paid on time. The safety of our skies is just too important.
“I’m urging Speaker Johnson to call the House back to session so we can pass my bill. This is a commonsense measure that both parties should support. The Speaker has thus far refused to work on compromise legislation with Democrats or allowed the House to cast a single vote on any legislation since September 19. This abdication of our Constitutional responsibilities is shameful, and it must end so we can reopen the government, pay all federal employees, and keep our skies safe.”
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