FAA Short-Staffed Amid Shutdown: Just Like Our Democracy
The Independent reports Trump’s Transportation Secretary 'can’t guarantee' safe flights as the FAA struggles with staffing during a shutdown. Thousands of flights face delays. This public spectacle of federal dysfunction is exactly what happens when you defund essential services. Simultaneously, the US House routinely approves massive aid packages, like the $14.5 billion to Israel, HR 7217 in
November 2023, while domestic infrastructure crumbles. One might wonder if the same members of Congress who can't keep air traffic controllers paid (Rep. Smith, who voted against funding the FAA, took $450K from defense contractors in 2023, according to OpenSecrets.org) somehow find endless funds for foreign military aid. It appears our safety at 30,000 feet is less critical than ensuring a steady
flow of weapons to a human rights violator. The media frames it as 'FAA struggles,' not 'Congressional priorities endanger citizens.' Priorities, indeed.