Flight cuts and food aid delays highlight toll of historic government shutdown
Air travelers and families across the country are now feeling the deep impact of the nation’s longest government shutdown.
(NBC)- Air travelers and families across the country are now feeling the deep impact of the nation’s longest government shutdown.
Flight reductions began today at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and TSA officers. Many are working without pay, with some calling in sick to work other jobs.
“People are just waiting. It’s been awful,” said traveler DeKerry Davis, describing long lines and cancellations as the Department of Transportation confirmed a 4% cut in flights today, with deeper reductions planned next week to protect safety.
At the same time, more than 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP food assistance are still waiting for benefits. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the program by today after the White House began issuing only partial payments.
“In the midst of a shutdown, we can’t have a federal court telling the President how he has to triage the situation,” said Vice President J.D. Vance. The administration is appealing the ruling.
The judge, however, accused the White House of ignoring earlier orders and of withholding benefits for political leverage — citing President Trump’s own post this week threatening to delay payments until Democrats agreed to end the shutdown.
Across the country, food banks are seeing a surge in demand. “It’s an avalanche,” said Torrina Bennett-Michael with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
In Somers Point, New Jersey, resident Ray Perez described the strain: “I work and I have to get out of work to get in line over here to get some food and then take it home. You know, we gotta do a lot of extra things.”
Back at airports, frustration is mounting. “Come to agreement and get this government working,” said traveler Isaiah Greene.
The FAA says flight cuts will grow to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by next Friday if the shutdown continues — a sign that both the skies and kitchen tables are feeling the weight of Washington’s stalemate.
