Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to end the ongoing government shutdown, urging them to pass what he termed ‘great’ resolutions. He described the matter as ‘very easy’ in a recent statement.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, ‘Republicans should get rid of the Hold Up in discussions (the Democrats will do it at the first chance they get!), stop the Government Shutdown, pass many important things, and win on the Midterms. This is very easy. Be smart party, not dumb party!’
The new fiscal year in the United States began on October 1st, but Congress failed to approve a budget, leading to the partial suspension of government operations. This ‘government shutdown’ refers to the cessation of operations for government agencies directly funded by Congress due to the failure to pass a budget for the new fiscal year. Such occurrences are not uncommon in the U.S.
Trump previously indicated his willingness to use a government shutdown to implement significant staff and payment reductions.
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting about the potential impact of the shutdown on air travel. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned of significant disruptions to air travel, with thousands of flights potentially facing cancellation or delays.
Speaking on Fox News, Buttigieg stated that with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, air travel could slow down considerably. He highlighted the potential for a reduced number of air traffic controllers on duty, leading to fewer takeoffs and landings. ‘We could see major disruptions and a lot of angry Americans,’ he cautioned.
Airlines are already grappling with government-mandated flight reductions. The aviation system experienced widespread delays and cancellations, exacerbating the impact of the shutdown.
The ongoing shutdown, now in its extended duration, has resulted in a shortage of air traffic controllers and other federal employees who have not received paychecks for weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued directives to airlines to manage the situation.
