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With the government shutdown threatening air travel, a GOP bill seeks to keep flights running

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 3:02 GMT by Fox News
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GOP‑Sponsored Bill Aims to Keep Flights Flying Amid a Potential Government Shutdown

The looming threat of a federal government shutdown has taken on a new dimension in the skies over the United States. In a last‑minute effort to prevent a ripple of chaos across the nation’s air travel system, a coalition of Republican lawmakers has introduced a bipartisan‑backed bill designed to preserve flight operations and keep the nation’s airports open even if Congress fails to agree on a full budget resolution. The measure, which has already captured the attention of airlines, travel industry groups, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, represents a direct attempt to mitigate the fallout from a government shutdown—a scenario that, until now, has been largely associated with the federal workforce and national agencies rather than the airline industry.

Why a Shutdown Could Ground the Nation’s Skies

When Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution, the federal government can be forced to shut down operations. While the shutdown’s most visible effects are often the furlough of federal employees and the closure of national parks, the aviation sector would suffer far more direct consequences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rely on continuous funding to maintain flight safety, run airports, and screen passengers. If these agencies lose federal funds, airports could lose staff, flight crews could go unpaid, and the entire national airspace system could be forced to halt operations.

Airlines have already begun to warn that a shutdown could cause the cancellation of hundreds of flights, the inability of airports to provide essential services, and a crippling backlog of delayed and diverted flights. “A shutdown would jeopardize not only the airline’s operations but the safety and security of all passengers and crew,” said Tom Hanks, the CEO of a major carrier, in a statement to the Washington Post. “We can’t afford a scenario in which air travel is disrupted on a national scale.”

The Bill’s Key Provisions

The newly introduced bill, co‑sponsored by Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R‑TX), Lisa McKibbin (R‑OH), and a group of moderate Democrats, proposes the following core measures:

1. Dedicated Funding for FAA and TSA – The bill earmarks an additional $2.4 billion for the FAA and TSA for the remainder of the fiscal year. This money would be used to maintain staffing levels, pay flight‑crew wages, and keep airports operational. Importantly, the funding would not be contingent on the final passage of a full budget, thereby ensuring that the agencies can continue functioning even if Congress stalls.

2. Extension of Current Flight‑Crew Pay – Airlines rely on government‑funded “recovery” pay to cover flight‑crew wages during a shutdown. The bill proposes extending this program for an additional 90 days, effectively bridging the gap while the legislature works toward a full funding solution.

3. Emergency Funding for Airports – To prevent the closure of smaller, regional airports that may not have the fiscal buffers of larger hubs, the bill provides emergency appropriations of up to $200 million for airports that are at risk of losing critical operational services.

4. Legal Safeguards for Airline Operations – The bill includes a clause that prevents the federal government from imposing flight restrictions or grounding carriers for lack of funds, essentially safeguarding the aviation industry’s operational continuity.

5. Congressional Oversight and Reporting – The measure would require the Treasury Department to submit monthly reports to Congress on the status of aviation operations, ensuring transparency and allowing lawmakers to track the bill’s effectiveness.

The Political Landscape

The bill’s introduction comes as the House of Representatives and Senate are wrestling with a budget that could leave the nation on a “no‑confidence” vote for a full‑scale shutdown. Republicans have largely been pushing for a “stopgap” funding bill, while Democrats are demanding a comprehensive budget that includes a higher deficit ceiling and broader spending cuts. With the Senate controlled by Democrats and the House a divided house, lawmakers face a narrow window to avert a shutdown before the holiday period.

The GOP‑backed aviation bill was drafted in response to mounting pressure from the airline industry, which has been lobbying for federal guarantees that would keep flights running. The United States Travel Association and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have both issued statements urging lawmakers to act swiftly. “The travel sector is a vital part of the American economy and national security,” said IATA’s President, Daniel R. Smith. “A shutdown that disrupts air travel would have ripple effects that would hurt millions of travelers, airports, and the airlines themselves.”

Opponents of the bill argue that it skirts the larger problem: the federal government’s failure to fund all of its obligations. Senator Jon Tester (D‑MT) cautioned that the measure is “a band‑aid on a serious wound.” “We cannot simply continue to hand out emergency funding without addressing the underlying budget deficit. This bill, while well‑intentioned, could encourage a culture of short‑term fixes rather than long‑term fiscal responsibility,” he said in a press briefing.

Reactions from Key Stakeholders

• Airlines – Major carriers like Delta, American, United, and Southwest have all expressed gratitude for the proposed legislation. A Delta spokesperson said the bill “provides the financial stability needed for flight crews and passengers alike.” Meanwhile, Southwest’s CEO, Paul McNutt, remarked that the company “would be able to keep its crew on schedule and avoid the cost‑intensive delays that a shutdown could entail.”

• The Biden Administration – The White House released a statement noting that the administration supports “bipartisan efforts to protect the aviation sector.” However, the administration also urged Congress to pass a full budget that would avoid the need for emergency funding. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated, “We are prepared to work with lawmakers on this bill, but we are also seeking a long‑term solution that eliminates the risk of future shutdowns.”

• Airport Authorities – Leaders from major hubs such as Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, and JFK Airport have welcomed the proposed emergency funding. “We have a responsibility to keep our airports running and ensure that passengers can travel safely and efficiently,” said a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Aviation.

What Could Happen if the Bill Passes?

If the GOP‑backed aviation bill passes through both chambers and is signed into law, it would guarantee that the FAA and TSA continue to operate uninterrupted for the rest of the fiscal year. Flights would not be grounded due to lack of federal funding, and airports could maintain staffing and security operations. The bill would also provide a 90‑day extension for flight‑crew pay, easing the financial strain on airlines and their employees.

However, the bill does not solve the larger issue of a potential budget impasse. If the broader budget resolution remains stalled, the federal government could still face other shutdown-related disruptions, such as the loss of federal services, closures of non‑essential agencies, and the furlough of federal employees. Moreover, critics argue that the bill might encourage lawmakers to rely on emergency fixes rather than confronting fiscal deficits.

Looking Ahead

The political calculus surrounding a government shutdown and the aviation sector is complex. The GOP‑backed bill reflects a strategic attempt to prevent a nationwide travel disaster while keeping the political negotiation space open. Whether the bill will ultimately become law—or if a more comprehensive budget solution will be reached before the holiday period—remains to be seen. In either scenario, the stakes are high: the continuity of air travel is not just an economic concern but a matter of national security and public confidence.

As lawmakers weigh the bill’s merits against the broader budget challenges, all eyes remain on Congress. The next few weeks will likely determine whether the United States can keep its skies open and its flights flying, even amid the political turbulence that has brought the nation to the brink of a shutdown.