At LaGuardia Airport, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calls for end to government shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke at LaGuardia Airport alongside NATCA president Nick Daniels, acknowledging the severe financial strain on unpaid air traffic controllers- many now working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime and seeking side jobs- while insisting the airspace remains safe through reduced flight operations to manage staffing and fatigue. Duffy called the shutdown “Democrat-led”, urged controllers to continue working, and highlighted risks that the extended government shutdown poses to air traffic control. 

From CBS News: 

"I've made clear to our air traffic controllers: they need to show up for work. They do really important work for our country, and they need to show up. But I'm not going to lie to anybody to not say that they're not feeling the stress," Duffy said. "The fact that they are working, and oftentimes, they are head of households, they're the only income earners in their homes, and they have families, and they're having a hard time paying their bills." 

It comes as Democrats and Republicans trade blame over the shutdown. Duffy called it a "Democrat-led government shutdown," adding, "It does beg the question to me, again, what are the Democrats fighting for?"

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