A Democratic lawmaker from Arizona has now reportedly come out in support of the Trump administration’s decision to reduce air traffic nationwide as the government shutdown enters its 38th day, underscoring the growing toll on federal workers and the aviation system.
Representative Greg Stanton, Democrat of Arizona, said in a statement Thursday that “safety must always be the highest priority” for the aviation industry, backing the administration’s decision to scale back flights. “The decision by Secretary Duffy to reduce flights at America’s 40 busiest airports is the right call for the safety of the flying public,” Stanton wrote on X.
He added, “Now it’s critical that Republicans and Democrats get together and reach a bipartisan agreement on a plan to reduce health costs and end the shutdown. Arizona deserves better, and so do the hardworking professionals who keep our skies safe.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration announced the flight reductions Thursday evening, citing mounting personnel shortages as federal workers continue to go unpaid.
The directive, which took effect Friday, mandates an initial 4 percent reduction in air traffic across the nation’s 40 busiest airports — a number that will increase to 10 percent by November 14 if the shutdown persists.
An emergency order issued by the FAA stated that the move was necessary to “maintain the highest standards of safety” amid staff shortfalls. The order affects major airports from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — the largest airport in Stanton’s district — to Washington’s Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. Stanton’s 4th Congressional District includes parts of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, all within the range of the air traffic reductions.
The shutdown, now stretching beyond five weeks, has furloughed thousands of federal employees as agencies exhaust their funds. Many deemed “essential,” such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers, have continued working without pay. Reports have surfaced of employees taking second jobs, calling out sick, or facing severe financial strain as the stalemate drags on.
In Washington, negotiations to end the impasse remain stalled. Senate leaders from both parties have failed to produce a bipartisan compromise, with Democrats continuing to insist that any funding deal include an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire later this year. Republicans, meanwhile, argue that Democrats are holding up government funding by attaching unrelated policy demands to the bill.
House Republicans passed a funding proposal on September 19 aimed at reopening the government, but Stanton was among Democrats who voted against it. The White House and congressional Republicans have urged Democrats to support a clean funding measure and separate broader policy debates from the immediate need to end the shutdown.
While Stanton’s remarks highlight rare bipartisan support for a key Trump administration decision, they also underscore the broader frustration in Washington as the shutdown continues to strain public services and disrupt daily life. For now, the administration’s focus remains on ensuring the safety of air travel — even as the political gridlock that caused the crisis shows no immediate sign of breaking.
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