As the government shutdown enters its third week, Republican leaders are increasingly voicing concerns about its impact on the Thanksgiving travel season. They are warning that an extended shutdown could lead to widespread flight cancellations and airport disruptions, which would affect millions of travelers who are expected to be on the move around the holiday. With Thanksgiving on November 27, the GOP is urging congressional Democrats to find a compromise before the situation escalates further.
Rep. Lisa McClain, the GOP conference chair, criticized Democrats for their intransigence, saying the party’s refusal to negotiate could lead to severe consequences. ‘As TSA agents and air traffic controllers show up without pay, Democrats brag they won’t budge until planes fall out of the sky,’ she said. ‘Really? Seriously?’ McClain’s comments reflect growing frustration within the Republican Party over the prolonged standoff, which has already caused significant disruptions among federal workers, including unpaid leave and increased absenteeism.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other GOP leaders have also emphasized the financial and operational toll of the shutdown. They warned that the situation would only worsen as the holiday approaches, with potential for more flight delays and cancellations. Speaker Mike Johnson and Whip Tom Emmer reiterated the need for Democrats to end the shutdown, stating that the impact on public services and travelers would only continue to grow. ‘Airports will be flooded with flight cancellations and delays amid the busiest time to travel all year,’ Emmer said, adding that the GOP is calling on Democrats to ‘reopen our government’ before the situation spirals further.
The current shutdown, which began on October 1, has already exceeded the previous record of 35 days set in 2019. With the Thanksgiving holiday looming, Republicans are concerned that the shutdown could last for months, which would have severe implications for the economy and public services. The unpaid federal workers, including those in critical roles such as air traffic control and security, are facing significant stress, which could lead to even more absences and operational challenges. The situation has escalated to a point where the political stakes are high, and the impact of the shutdown is becoming increasingly apparent in everyday life for Americans.