On November 9, the U.S. federal government shutdown hit day 40—the longest closure ever ⏰. What started on October 1 after Congress failed to agree on funding has left thousands of workers unpaid and disrupted services nationwide.
Essential programs are feeling the squeeze: food assistance, healthcare and especially air travel. Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA screeners are on the job without a paycheck, and many are taking leave. The result? Major flight delays, understaffed airports and growing concerns about safety ✈️.
At Miami International Airport, staffer Ana Lucia Hume warns that pilots’ mental health is already under strain. 'If this continues, airlines could face serious operational issues or even equipment malfunctions,' she explains.
Traveler Connor Lotte, stuck at JFK, spent nearly two hours in immigration lines that stretched almost a mile. 'Some people even fainted from the wait,' he recalls 😮💨.
With airports overwhelmed and frustrations rising, experts say the shutdown’s ripple effects are just getting started. Until lawmakers restore funding, millions of Americans will keep feeling the pinch—both on the ground and in the skies.
Reference(s):
Uncovering America: How U.S. government shutdown affects daily life
cgtn.com
