Bill introduced to protect FAA workers' pay amid shutdown
Share this @internewscast.com


As the government shutdown drags into its third week, affecting countless federal employees, those on the front lines of air travel— from TSA agents at security checkpoints to air traffic controllers overseeing busy skies— have been working tirelessly for 20 days without pay.

In Jacksonville, Florida, the prolonged shutdown, which now ranks as the third longest in U.S. history, has prompted local lawmakers to take action. Politicians on the First Coast are rallying behind a new legislative proposal aimed at safeguarding the financial well-being of Federal Aviation Administration employees, who continue to perform their duties despite the absence of a paycheck.

Representative Aaron Bean of District 4 acknowledges the potential disaster that could ensue should these critical workers begin calling out sick en masse or walking off the job. With the region’s airspace already crowded due to multiple airports, military installations, and space launches, such disruptions could have severe consequences.

To address this pressing issue, Rep. Bean is championing The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025. This proposed legislation seeks to utilize the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to ensure that essential personnel, such as those in TSA lines or air traffic control towers, continue to receive their pay even during government funding lapses.

The trust fund, which is primarily financed through taxes included in airline tickets and fuel surcharges, aims to provide a financial buffer for these crucial employees, maintaining operational stability in the aviation sector amid political impasses.

Reflecting on past experiences, Congressman Bean noted, “During the last major shutdown in 2019, by day 35, we saw numerous air traffic controllers and other vital FAA staff calling out sick.” His initiative seeks to prevent a recurrence of such disruptions and ensure the aviation industry remains resilient in the face of governmental gridlock.

Congressman Bean warns that if these essential FAA workers call out sick, you could see major delays and disruptions on your travel day—something lawmakers hope to avoid with this proposed bill.

District 18 Representative Kim Kendall dedicated her career before politics to being the “eyes of the sky,” working as an air traffic controller at the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center.

She adds that this bill could make a major difference, as airports were already dealing with staff shortages before the shutdown.

“When you stop moving your modes of transportation, the United States stops moving. We have to move all different kinds of goods and services and people,” explained Rep. Kim Kendall, District 18.

For impacted FAA employees, they will be eventually be paid once the government reopens; however, that timeline still remains unknown. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump, Plans to Question Her

Michael Wolff Initiates Legal Action Against Melania Trump, Seeks to Question Her

Michael Wolff, the controversial author famous for his insider accounts of the…
Expert warns critical hours slipping away as kidnappers likely to move US missionary in Niger

Urgent Countdown: US Missionary’s Fate Hangs in Balance as Kidnappers Prepare to Relocate in Niger

A security specialist has highlighted the urgency of the initial 48 hours…
Chicago CTA riders brace for weekend work halting of trains on elevated Loop tracks on Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines

Chicago Transit Alert: Major Weekend Disruptions on Loop Elevated Tracks for Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines

CHICAGO (WLS) — This weekend might pose difficulties for CTA riders as…
Security video captures moment former mayor stabbed multiple times outside his blue state business

Security Footage Reveals Former Mayor Stabbed Repeatedly Outside Business in Blue State

A dramatic incident unfolded outside a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary on Monday afternoon,…
Palisades Fire suspect has courtroom outburst while pleading not guilty at arraignment

Suspect in Palisades Fire Case Disrupts Courtroom During Not Guilty Plea

The man accused of igniting what authorities have called “one of the…
Justice Dept. seeks to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia

Breaking: Justice Dept. Moves to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia – Here’s What You Need to Know

Washington — The Justice Department announced on Friday that the Trump administration…
Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues unveiled at the Alabama Capitol

Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller Unveiled at Alabama State Capitol

In a momentous event on Friday, the Alabama Capitol grounds witnessed the…
Oswego, Illinois Chick-fil-A: Darryl Lee Jr., 19, charged with murder in stabbing attacks at restaurant on Route 34, officials say

Tragic Incident: 19-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Oswego’s Route 34 Chick-fil-A Stabbing

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) — Authorities have charged a suspect in connection with…
Colts cheerleader uses sign language to converse with deaf fan at his first game

Heartwarming Moment: Colts Cheerleader Bridges the Gap with Sign Language at Deaf Fan’s First Game

Colts cheerleader Morgan McLain, who studied American Sign Language (ASL) as a…
Neutrogena makeup remover wipes recalled over bacterial contamination

Neutrogena Recalls Makeup Wipes Due to Bacterial Contamination Concerns

More than 1,300 cases of makeup remover wipes distributed across four states…
Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues will be unveiled at the Alabama Capitol

Statues of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller Set for Unveiling at Alabama Capitol

Rep. Laura Hall, who played a crucial role in the legislation permitting…
Ted Cruz Calls $3 Billion US Aid to Israel a “Bargain”

Ted Cruz Labels $3 Billion US Aid to Israel as a “Bargain” Investment: A Strategic Perspective

At the recent Christians United for Israel Summit, Sen. Ted Cruz doubled…