Although the federal shutdown has ended, the fallout continues, especially for the already short-staffed air traffic control system. The Department of Transportation is now being urged to extend its $10,000 bonus to all air traffic controllers and FAA technicians who kept working without pay during the closure.

Earlier, the FAA's decision to offer a $10,000 bonus only to air traffic controllers with perfect attendance during the shutdown sparked strong backlash. The move to reward just 776 employees, fewer than 8% of the 20,000 controllers and technicians, was met with firm opposition, as the ATC union rejected the so-called “patriot bonus” in a sharply worded response .

Now, an Illinois Democratic senator and military veteran has raised the issue through written communication with t

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