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The reckless, record-long government shutdown is now ripping through the national economy and putting Americans’ safety and travel plans at risk, as the FAA announced a 10 percent cut in traffic capacity across 40 high-volume markets to prevent disaster amid worsening staffing shortages. That rationing of the skies will ripple into thousands of canceled and delayed flights just as families plan for the holidays, and it’s a direct consequence of political brinksmanship in Washington.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been clear-eyed and blunt about the danger: he warned that if the shutdown drags on and controllers miss another paycheck the result could be chaos, and the department has moved proactively to reduce operations rather than waiting for a catastrophe. It’s what real leadership looks like — admitting hard truths and taking steps to protect Americans when lawmakers refuse to do their jobs.
Tragedy struck in Louisville on Nov. 4 when a UPS MD-11 cargo jet erupted into flames on takeoff, killing and injuring members of the community and devastating businesses near the airport. First responders deserve our gratitude for racing to a scene that resembled a war zone, and federal investigators with the NTSB are already on site trying to piece together a horrific chain of events.
Early evidence points to a catastrophic engine fire and the separation of a left-side engine during the takeoff roll — a mechanical calamity investigators are treating as the primary lead rather than an air-traffic control failure. Aviation experts have said they see no immediate link between this accident and the shutdown, which is important to state plainly so grief doesn’t become raw political speculation.
That said, the shutdown’s toll on the FAA workforce is real: controllers are working without pay, many are calling out sick, and staffing shortages are forcing limits on operations at dozens of facilities. Even if this crash appears to stem from equipment failure, the broader disruption to America’s transportation system is entirely avoidable and caused by a refusal in Congress to govern responsibly.
Washington’s theater of blame must end and lawmakers should reopen the government immediately so essential workers get paid and the full capacity of the National Airspace System is restored. Secretary Duffy made the sober call to reduce flights because he understands government’s first duty is to protect Americans, but no secretary should be put in the position of managing avoidable crises while politicians posture on cable TV.
Our hearts go out to the families in Louisville and to the UPS employees and first responders who faced a nightmare. Voters should remember who chose shutdown over compromise when travel plans, commerce and safety are on the line — and demand that Congress reopen the government before more Americans pay the price.
