Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on ABC’s “This Week” with host Martha Raddatz to discuss the effect the Schumer shutdown is having on Air Traffic control employees.
“The FAA is saying that currently nearly 50 percent of major air traffic control facilities are experiencing staffing shortages,” Raddatz said.
“At some point, might you have to shut down portions of the US airspace, maybe even airports? What point are we at that possibility?” Raddatz asked.
“I’ve been traveling around talking to air traffic controllers, and there really is frustration. The fact that there is a shutdown right now. The Democrats are focusing on illegal healthcare,” Duffy said.
“They don’t get paid as air traffic controllers. There is a burning frustration like in the rest of the country,” Duffy continued.
“You mentioned that safety is my top priority, and it is. We will delay, we will cancel any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe,” Duffy explained.
Watch:
Transportation Sec. Duffy warns of a “level of risk” when air traffic controllers are stretched too thin, but says that safety is his department’s priority: “We will delay, we will cancel, any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe.”… pic.twitter.com/CALMD4sufL
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 2, 2025
“How close are we to this point where we you might have to close air space, or airports, as we watch air traffic controllers calling in sick?” Raddatz asked.
“First off, if you look at other shutdowns, our air traffic controllers, God bless them, they have been coming to work. They are frustrated, but by and large, they have come. They are not getting paid,” Duffy said.
Watch:
“If the government doesn’t open in the next week or two, we’ll look back as these were the good days, not the bad days.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks with @martharaddatz about the growing difficulty ATC workers face while going without pay. https://t.co/x73HSd9XsC pic.twitter.com/mZpj7sku0n
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 2, 2025
Secretary Duffy explained that the Trump administration is doing everything they can to pay the air traffic controllers with any money they can find.
“We’ve looked throughout our funding mechanisms to see how we can pull money in and pay our controllers. We’ve kept essential air service operational,” Duffy said.
“We’re pulling in whatever dollar we can, but there’s real restrictions when you don’t fund the government,” Duffy said.
“It’s simple. Democrats, open up the government. Negotiate a deal. Have a conversation,” Duffy said.
“Shutting the government down is not the pathway forward I think to make sure you get your way and you get your will,” Duffy continued.
Watch:
Pressed by @MarthaRaddatz on why the department hasn’t tapped funds from the Big Beautiful Act to pay air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded, “We’re pulling in whatever dollar we can, but there’s real restrictions.” https://t.co/LjFKIMQlXA pic.twitter.com/cWZtmx1oGX
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 2, 2025
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