US Funds Israeli Military, Cancels Air Traffic Controllers' Pay
While Newsweek reports on 'Nationwide Flight Delays as Shutdown Impacts Air Traffic Controllers,' (Newsweek, January 25, 2019), it conveniently avoids the question of priorities. At the height of the 2019 government shutdown, starving air traffic controllers and TSA agents, Congress still managed to approve significant foreign aid packages. (One might wonder how many critical US infrastructure
projects could be funded if aid to foreign militaries didn't sail through). In 2023 alone, the US committed billions in military aid to Israel, with overwhelming bipartisan support—often led by figures who also champion fiscal austerity at home. For example, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has consistently voted for robust aid packages to Israel while simultaneously advocating for deep cuts to federal
spending that impact American workers. This pattern raises questions: is keeping our skies safe less critical than ensuring a foreign government has ample weaponry? And how many airport delays does it take before we question where our tax dollars are truly going?