House to Vote on Urgent Bill to End Shutdown Amid Travel Chaos

UPDATE: The House of Representatives is set to vote this afternoon on a crucial funding bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, as the impact on air travel escalates. Thousands of travelers across the United States are currently feeling the effects of the shutdown, with significant flight cancellations reported at major airports.

As of Wednesday morning, LaGuardia Airport has experienced 4% of its flights canceled, while Newark Airport has also reported a 4% cancellation rate, and John F. Kennedy Airport is facing 2% cancellations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has confirmed that commercial aviation operations have generally continued over the past two days, with only four staffing issues reported on Tuesday—down from a staggering 81 on Saturday.

However, the situation is dire. Duffy warns that without swift action, next weekend could bring severe disruptions to air travel. “I think we would see that significant disruption coming this next weekend, maybe as early as Friday,” he stated. He emphasized that airlines might halt operations entirely, saying, “We might find airlines that have to make decisions, do they keep flying? If this doesn’t open, you might have airlines that say, ‘We’re going to ground our planes. We’re not going to fly anymore.’ That’s how serious this is.”

The government shutdown has left federal workers without pay, impacting 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits and causing chaos for airline passengers facing delays and cancellations. Duffy reassured that once the government reopens, air traffic controllers will receive their pay within 24 to 48 hours and will be fully compensated within a week.

Currently, the FAA is implementing a 6% reduction in flight operations, which is set to increase to 10% on Friday. Even after the anticipated end of the shutdown, officials warn that it may take several days for flight operations to return to normal levels. Duffy stated that ongoing data collection will help determine the timeline for recovery.

Travelers are urged to stay informed as developments unfold. The House vote this afternoon could be a pivotal moment in resolving the crisis. The pressure is mounting, and the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. For travelers, the next few days could prove critical as they navigate potential disruptions in air travel.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation evolves.