GOP leaders say airports will be ‘flooded’ with cancellations if Democrats don’t budge

January 4, 2026 by Nadia

“As TSA agents and air traffic controllers show up without pay, Democrats brag they won’t budge until planes fall out of the sky. Really? Really? Seriously, that’s the Democrats’ model?” an animated McClain remarked.

The Hill has reached out to the offices of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for comment.

As part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) shutdown contingency plan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) furloughed more than 11,000 employees, roughly a quarter of the agency’s workforce. More than 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. Hiring and training have also continued.

But Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted an increase in air traffic controllers calling out sick during a press conference on Oct. 6. Three days later, he said on Fox Business’s “Varney & Co” that DOT could dismiss those employees taking sick days.

“We need more controllers, but we need the best and the brightest, the dedicated controllers, and if we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go,” Duffy added. Continue reading…