Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., is introducing a bill to make sure essential FAA workers continue to be paid during government shutdowns, protecting against massive flight delays that have occurred in the past. (Getty Images)
The statement explained, "This isn’t just about paychecks. It’s about keeping our skies safe, our flights on time, and our economy airborne."
Air traffic controllers and other essential FAA personnel do not receive paychecks during government shutdowns despite being required to work to keep the nation’s flight schedules safe and on time. Though these federal workers are eventually paid when the government reopens, extended periods of time without a paycheck lead to stress on both the workers and the overall flight system.
In 2019, on the 35th day of a government shutdown, ten air traffic controllers called in sick in Virginia and Florida, triggering ground stops at LaGuardia Airport in New York and cascading delays at Newark, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Bean’s bill is aimed at making sure something like that does not happen again.
WHITE HOUSE PREPARES FOR 'IMMINENT' FEDERAL LAYOFFS AFTER DEMOCRATS FORCE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
A Southwest plane lands at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
"While Congress continues negotiations on funding the federal government, I hope we can all agree: The people who keep America’s skies running should be paid on time," Bean told Fox News Digital.
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"We can’t afford to let a government shutdown disrupt the backbone of our aviation system," he added. "That’s why I introduced legislation to ensure our air traffic controllers are paid, and the FAA operates with no interruptions. It’s about protecting public safety and standing up for the aviation professionals who keep our country moving."
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/government-shutdown-threatening-air-travel-gop-bill-seeks-keep-flights-running