(The Center Square) – The ongoing government shutdown is straining America’s airlines and air traffic controllers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday, and the longer it drags on, the greater the long-term effects.

Having run out of funding six days ago, federal agencies are furloughing workers by the tens of thousands. Employees deemed “essential,” however, such as Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers, must stay on the job.

These federal employees would normally receive their paychecks next week, but if Congress refuses to agree to a government funding plan by then – which seems increasingly likely – the already strained workforce won’t get paid.

“This shutdown has put way more stress on our controllers at a time when they’re already w

See Full Page