Chairman Graves Joins House Republican Leadership and Secretary Duffy at Press Conference on the Government Shutdown

Chairman Graves took the opportunity to praise air traffic controllers for continuing to do their job despite the uncertainty surrounding their next paycheck: "They're showing up for work, they're doing the job, and they're making sure that our skies stay safe." Speaking about the shutdown and Senator Chuck Schumer, Graves said, "It's unfortunate that he's weaponizing the air traffic controllers," and stressed that neither controllers nor their families should be used as political bargaining chips. Chairman Graves' full remarks from today's press conference are available here.

Speaker Mike Johnson addressed reports that air traffic controllers are taking on second jobs to make ends meet during the government shutdown: "Air traffic controllers, some people call the policemen of our skies, they have been showing up at work without pay. And, news reports have suggested that these men and women are seeking outside employment just to keep their families afloat.."

Secretary Duffy assured the public that it is still safe to fly and that the Administration's efforts to modernize the air traffic control system, for which the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee provided a down payment of $12.5 billion in H.R. 1, is still progressing during the shutdown. However, he noted that the shutdown has the potential to negatively impact the recruitment of new air traffic controllers, as recruits are witnessing controllers go without pay. Hiring new air traffic controllers has been a priority for the Trump Administration as they work to address the current controller shortage. Secretary Duffy spoke about effects of the shutdown on new recruits saying, "They're thinking about leaving the [faa] Academy, smart young men and women, because they don't want to work for a system that won't pay them."

Chairman Graves joined Secretary Duffy and House Republican Leadership in urging Senate Democrats to pass a clear continuing resolution - which the House did weeks ago - and vote to reopen the government.