Duffy is ‘Over It’ as Shutdown Drags On and Air Traffic Controllers Go Unpaid [WATCH]

Air traffic controllers across the United States missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday as the government shutdown entered its 28th day, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, as reported by Fox News.

During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Duffy said the situation is increasingly difficult for thousands of federal employees who continue working without pay. “Today is the first day that air traffic controllers don’t get any money,” he said.

“The first day is hard, but the second day is even harder than that. And the third day. Because they have gas, they have childcare costs.”

Duffy shared that he had personally spoken to one controller who described the financial strain his family was facing.

“I had one controller tell me, ‘my 10-year-old daughter made the traveling volleyball team, and it cost hundreds of dollars. I had to tell her I couldn’t pay the money because I don’t have a check coming in. I have to put food on the table.’”

Duffy praised the professionalism of air traffic controllers who continue to show up to work without pay. “You are safe to fly because these controllers come in, they’re the most amazing professionals. They do their job, they keep you safe,” he said.

“But again, I don’t want them driving DoorDash. I don’t want them going to the food bank. I want them focused on keeping you safe.”

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Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are employed nationwide. They are classified as essential workers, which requires them to continue working during a government shutdown without pay until back pay is issued after the shutdown ends.

Many already work six-day weeks due to a long-standing shortage in the aviation workforce.

The Senate is expected to consider legislation this week from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would provide pay for air traffic controllers during the shutdown. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has not yet brought the measure forward for a vote.

“We’ll see what the temperature is of our senators,” Thune said, noting that reopening the government would be the simplest way to restore full pay to all federal employees.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., dismissed Republican criticism of Democrats for failing to approve temporary funding measures.

“Air traffic controllers have been really admirable in coming to work and doing their job,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that Democrats oppose piecemeal bills that fund select parts of the government.

Cruz criticized Senate Democrats for blocking the proposal, calling their inaction “reckless.” “The Democrats not paying air traffic controllers is reckless,” Cruz said. “This is about keeping our skies safe and ensuring that the people doing the work are paid for it.”

The shutdown continues to impact multiple federal agencies as negotiations over broader funding legislation remain unresolved.

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