Vance and Duffy Warn: Thanksgiving Travel Risks Disaster Amid Shutdown
Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have raised alarms about potential travel disruptions this Thanksgiving. Their warnings follow a roundtable discussion held on Thursday with industry leaders at the White House. With a government shutdown persisting, concerns regarding air travel safety and reliability are escalating.
Travel Risks Amid Government Shutdown
Vance emphasized the gravity of the situation, indicating that federal employees, particularly in the aviation sector, are feeling significant financial strain. Many have missed multiple paychecks while still being required to work. This could lead to reduced staff availability, resulting in severe delays for travelers.
“We want people to be able to get home for Thanksgiving. We want people to be able to travel for business,” Vance noted, stressing the urgency to address these issues.
Roundtable Attendees and Concerns
- JD Vance, Vice President
- Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary
- Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO
- Scott Kirby, United Airlines CEO
- Nick Daniels, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President
- Sean O’Brien, Teamsters President
- Everett Kelley, American Federation of Government Employees President
During the meeting, Duffy discussed efforts to recruit more air traffic controllers as a temporary solution. Staffing shortages have reportedly more than quadrupled compared to last year, heightening concerns ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Economic Impact of the Shutdown
The ongoing shutdown is projected to cost the travel industry approximately $1 billion weekly. This figure could escalate as more Americans reconsider their travel plans. Geoff Freeman, the CEO of the US Travel Association, mentioned that 60% of Americans are already evaluating whether to alter their Thanksgiving journeys.
Freeman, along with industry leaders, is advocating for Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. He emphasized the vital need for immediate action to avoid a deepening crisis in the travel sector.
Political Stalemate
Vance reiterated that the solution lies in a bipartisan agreement. He pointed out that Democrats must prioritize passing a funding measure without attaching unrelated demands. “That is not reasonable behavior,” he stated, critiquing how the situation has been handled.
As the government shutdown continues, travel risks loom large. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the need for action is more urgent than ever.
