Johnson Urges House Members to Return Immediately as Air Travel Disruptions Intensify Amid Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the United States government shutdown stretches beyond five weeks, House Speaker Mike Johnson has called on all sidelined House members to return to Washington immediately, emphasizing the urgent need to resolve the stalemate amid mounting air travel chaos across the nation.
The protracted shutdown, now in its 40th day, has severely impacted federal operations, with air travel emerging as one of the most visible and disruptive consequences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported widespread flight delays and cancellations due to acute staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who are currently working without pay.
Nationwide Flight Delays and Cancellations
On November 10, 2025, Newark Liberty International Airport saw more than 112 cancellations and over 300 delays by 6:30 a.m., marking a significant increase from previous days. Similar disruptions were reported at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled.
These travel headaches stem from FAA-mandated reductions aimed at easing the workload on controllers exhausted and demoralized by the ongoing shutdown. Recent figures indicate flight reductions have increased from 4% to 5.5% over just a few days, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning they could escalate to 10% by mid-November if no resolution is reached.
Impact on Air Traffic Controllers and Travel System
Speaking on the deteriorating conditions, Secretary Duffy highlighted that air traffic controller absences have caused delays to skyrocket, from a typical 5% to over 50% of all flight delays nationwide. Controllers, many of whom have missed multiple paychecks, face mounting fatigue and stress, affecting both safety and efficiency across the system.
The FAA currently operates with roughly 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers working unpaid, underscoring the operational strain. Despite these challenges, officials maintain that flight safety is not compromised, though the ongoing stress is untenable without federal funding restored.
Political Standoff Continues Despite Senate Progress
While the Senate approved a deal to end the shutdown on November 9, the House of Representatives remains divided, largely over healthcare subsidy extensions critical to millions of Americans. Speaker Mike Johnson’s urgent summons to House members underscores the high stakes as midterm elections have recently concluded, with political leaders hesitating to make concessions before understanding the full electoral landscape.
Johnson’s call for members to return “right now” is aimed at accelerating the vote on the continuing resolution necessary to fund government operations and alleviate the growing disruptions. Failure to act swiftly risks continuing disruption not only to air travel but to other vital public services and economic sectors dependent on federal funding.
Historical Context and the Pressure to Resolve
Air traffic disruptions have historically acted as a catalyst for government reopenings. During the 2019 record-long shutdown, similar flight delays due to controller shortages forced temporary flight halts at key airports on the eastern seaboard, triggering political negotiations and a reopening agreement.
Current travel difficulties are already causing significant inconvenience for millions of travelers and businesses as the busy holiday season approaches. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights nationwide since early November, with more cancellations and delays expected if the shutdown persists.
Outlook and Public Advisory
Transportation Secretary Duffy and aviation officials urge patience for travelers navigating the disrupted airspace. The situation remains fluid with potential for improvements if Congress acts promptly. However, without an immediate funding agreement, the strain on air traffic control operations and travel disruptions are expected to worsen, affecting the U.S. economy and public confidence.
The government’s impasse continues to reveal the critical impact of federal funding on national infrastructure and public services, with leaders now under increasing pressure to reach a bipartisan compromise to restore normalcy.