Speaker Johnson on Air Traffic Controller Pay and Government Shutdown

Air Traffic Controller Pay and Shutdowns

• 🎯 Speaker Johnson addressed questions about paying air traffic controllers during a government shutdown.
• 💡 He stated that the White House has been working to mitigate harms, citing examples like funding WIC and paying troops using existing statutes and unobligated funds.
• ⚠️ However, resources are running out, and there isn't a current pot of money to cover air traffic controller salaries, necessitating the reopening of the government.

Republican Stance on Government Funding

• 🚀 Republicans have repeatedly voted to reopen the government and ensure all individuals are paid.
• ❌ Johnson accused Democrats of voting 13 times to keep the government closed and using essential workers as political leverage.

Senate Bill and Democratic Opposition

• 📌 A measure is expected on the Senate floor to cover essential workers, including air traffic controllers, during a shutdown.
• 🗣️ According to Johnson, Democrats have vowed to vote no on this measure, which he finds unconscionable.
• 🚫 This means Democrats would vote against restoring paychecks for troops, border patrol agents, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and others.