Washington — The federal government shutdown has entered its 36th day, now the longest in U.S. history, with growing pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns of nationwide flight disruptions.
President Donald Trump urged Republican senators Wednesday morning to take swift action to reopen the government, telling them during a White House breakfast that “we must get the government back open soon — and really immediately.” He also renewed calls for the Senate GOP to eliminate the filibuster, a procedural rule requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation.
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed the idea, saying there aren’t enough votes to change Senate rules. “The answer is, there aren’t the votes,” Thune told reporters, emphasizing that the focus should be on reopening the government, not rewriting long-standing procedures.
FAA Plans 10% Cut in Air Traffic as Shutdown Strains System
The FAA has begun preparing to reduce airline capacity by 10% across 40 of the nation’s busiest air traffic markets, citing severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay since the shutdown began last month.
According to sources familiar with internal discussions, the cuts are expected to begin Friday, with phased reductions starting at 4% before reaching the full 10% next week. The list of affected airports is not yet final but includes major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, New York City, and Los Angeles, as well as key cargo airports in Louisville, Memphis, Anchorage, Ontario (CA), and Teterboro (NY).
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measure is aimed at relieving “fatigue and safety concerns” among air traffic controllers. “We have identified 40 high-traffic markets where a 10% reduction will help maintain safety standards amid staffing pressures,” Duffy said.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added that safety reports from pilots and controllers showed signs of strain, prompting regulators to act before the system becomes unsafe. “If left unchecked, we would no longer be able to confidently tell the public we operate the safest air system in the world,” he said.
Confusion Among Airlines as Veterans Day Travel Nears
Airlines have expressed confusion and frustration over the lack of official guidance from the FAA. Many are still waiting for formal instructions even as they brace for higher passenger volumes ahead of the Veterans Day weekend and possible Midwest weather disruptions.
“This will likely lead to more delays and cancellations,” Duffy acknowledged, noting that airlines are being asked to reduce their schedules “systematically” to match available staffing levels.
Political Pressure Mounts as Talks Continue
The shutdown’s political fallout intensified after Democrats swept key elections on Tuesday, a result that President Trump admitted was influenced by the shutdown itself. “Pollsters said the shutdown was a big factor — negative for Republicans,” he told GOP senators at the breakfast meeting.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the Democratic victories as a “repudiation of Trumpism,” calling on the president to meet with Democratic leaders to negotiate an end to the stalemate. “It’s time to sit down and bring this Republican shutdown to an end,” Schumer said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), involved in bipartisan talks, expressed cautious optimism that a deal could come soon. “We’ve had more conversations in the last few hours than in the last week,” he said. “You could have a deal tomorrow.”
Still, the Senate has yet to schedule a vote on a House-passed funding bill, which has failed to advance 14 times.
The Road Ahead
The emerging outlines of a deal reportedly involve a temporary funding measure coupled with a Senate vote on extending health care tax credits, one of Democrats’ key demands.
But Sen. Bernie Sanders warned that any such vote would be “meaningless” without guarantees from House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump that the measure would become law. “If it’s just a Senate gesture, it’s worthless,” Sanders said.
For now, as federal employees continue to work without pay and the FAA prepares for flight reductions, the nation faces growing uncertainty. Unless Congress reaches a breakthrough soon, millions of travelers could be affected — marking one of the most visible consequences yet of the record-breaking government shutdown.