Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined “America’s Newsroom” to discuss the latest on efforts to end the government shutdown as the Senate is likely to test a vote on a new funding plan.
To reduce pressure on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the shutdown began over a month ago, causing staffing issues at airports across the country, the FAA is initiating a temporary 10% reduction in flights at 40 high-traffic airports across the US.
“And for those passengers who are upset, listen, call your Democratic senator. Fourteen times they voted no to open up the government,” Duffy added.
LIVE UPDATES: FAA AIR TRAFFIC DECISIONS TO BEGIN FRIDAY AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES
A sign shows canceled American Airlines flights at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 7, 2025. (Brian Snyder/Reuters/Reuters)
There is a process on how this should work in Congress. Shutdowns are not the way to get your way after losing the election. You submit bills, you debate, you vote. That’s what you do. And if you can’t get what you want, you don’t shut down the government and inflict this pain on Americans. people,” Duffy continued.
The FAA’s plan calls for a 4% reduction in flights, starting on Friday, and increasing to 6% by Tuesday, November 11. On Thursday, November 13, the reduction will be 8%, and ultimately 10% on Friday, November 14.
FORMER AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL REVEALS SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT ONGOING FAA STAFF CRISIS
A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, November 7, 2025. (Tim Evans/Reuters/Reuters)
“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to ensure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a news release. “The FAA will continue to monitor operations closely and we will not hesitate to take further action to ensure air travel remains safe.”
Duffy also said Friday: “Let’s open up the government.”
Travelers make their way through a TSA security checkpoint at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, November 7, 2025. (Brian Snyder/Reuters/Reuters)
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“Let’s pay our auditors and reduce the pressure. That’s not happening. The Senate is actually going home this weekend. Because a lot of people here can’t go home, the Senate is going home. They should be here every day, every weekend, every week to find a deal so we can open up the government again,” he added.
