Pete Buttigieg Details What a Government Shutdown Will Mean for Travelers

[Celerity]

"No large organization, least of all the federal government, is designed to just flip on and off like a light switch."

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/government-shutdown-travel-impact-secretary-buttigieg-explainer



Right now, an uncontrollable travel catastrophe is looming over all of our heads. Come October 1, the gears of the federal government could very possibly grind to a screeching halt. While the Senate has approved a spending deal, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is being pushed by a slew of hard-right House Republicans to reject proposals that would avoid a government shutdown. If Congress fails to pass some sort of funding legislation before the October 1 deadline, a large portion ( anything classified as "non-essential" ) of the federal government will stop operating and workers will be furloughed.

In a Wednesday interview, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Thrillist that the shutdown is "basically a hostage tactic in order for House Republicans to try to get through severe cuts that they have proposed." The last time there was a government shutdown was in December 2018. The shutdown lasted for 35 days—then-President Trump was demanding funding for a US-Mexico border wall, and Democratic lawmakers objected to that.

For the American people, one of the biggest impacts of the shutdown will be felt in the travel sector. Previous shutdowns caused major delays, cancellations, and long wait times at airports. After a year of making steady progress addressing the air travel industry's largest issues—including air traffic controller shortages, habitual delays, airline refunds, and outdated FAA technology—Secretary Buttigieg says a government shutdown will not only cause the same issues as previous shutdowns, but will also sabotage hard-won improvements to the industry.

"We saw an all-time record high in terms of the number of passengers screened by TSA this summer, which is one of many reasons why this is the exact wrong time for a government shutdown," Buttigieg explained. "To be clear, there's no good time for a government shutdown, but now, in particular, would be disruptive when we can least afford it." Here's what you need to know about the potential government shutdown and how it could affect your next trip.

TSA and air traffic controllers will have to stay on the job...............

snip

[cilla4progress]

1. I'm glad the admin is deploying Pete -

Boss communication skills.

[LonePirate]

2. A complete air travel shutdown would result in a budget resolution in 24 hours.

Outrage from even hardcore Republican voters cheering a shutdown would be swift and severe.