Americans trying to fly this week are paying the price for Congress failing to do its job, with the government shutdown dragging on into its eighth day and snarling air travel across the country. Thousands of flights have been delayed as understaffed Federal Aviation Administration facilities struggle to cover shifts and keep traffic moving. The chaos at major hubs is not hypothetical — it is happening now and costing families time and money while putting unnecessary stress on the men and women who keep our skies safe.
Essential airport workers — air traffic controllers and TSA screeners — are being treated like political pawns, forced to report for duty without a paycheck while politicians trade barbs in Washington. The FAA was already short thousands of qualified controllers before this shutdown, and the sudden spike in sick calls and absences has made the vulnerability painfully obvious. Forcing essential personnel to work without pay is not only unfair; it is a reckless policy choice that threatens reliability and morale in a system that must operate flawlessly every day.
We’ve seen the consequences on the tarmac: control towers temporarily left unmanned, as happened at Hollywood Burbank, and long average delays at major airports like Chicago O’Hare where wait times ballooned. Airlines reported hundreds of delayed flights, and operations in hubs from Nashville to Newark have been slowed by staffing shortfalls. This is the real-world cost of legislative paralysis — not abstract numbers, but grandparents missing flights, small businesses losing time, and hardworking employees facing sleepless nights coordinating around canceled schedules.
This shutdown began on October 1, 2025, born of a political impasse in Congress, and yet too many in Washington seem more interested in scoring points than restoring basic government function. Both parties have traded blame publicly, but voters should remember who demanded uncompromising concessions and who pushed for reopening the government to pay essential workers and keep the country moving. Lawmakers who relish the spectacle of shutdown brinksmanship must own the fallout when Americans suffer tangible harm because of their stunts.
The sensible, conservative response is straightforward: reopen the government immediately, cut the political theater, and get back to delivering the services Americans depend on. Then, hold lawmakers accountable and enact commonsense reforms — streamline hiring and training for controllers, improve retention through fair pay, and modernize air-traffic infrastructure so one funding fight cannot bring the system to its knees. We can demand both fiscal responsibility and an aviation system that works for citizens, not one that collapses whenever politicians choose to posture.
If you’ve been delayed or inconvenienced, call your representatives and tell them enough is enough: end the shutdown, stop the games, and prioritize the safety and livelihoods of Americans over partisan headlines. Families and businesses cannot afford to be collateral damage in Washington’s power plays, and conservative voters should lead the charge to restore order, demand accountability, and ensure that the men and women who keep our skies safe are treated with the respect and security they deserve.
