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1 Over Four Thousand Flights Canceled Over The Weekend, Transportation Secretary Says It Will Get Worse
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut thousands of flights starting Friday because of air traffic controller shortages during the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said airlines must reduce flights by 10-percent at 40 major airports across the country; airlines were told to cut 4-percent of Friday's flights and gradually increase cuts to 10-percent by this week. Including the over two-thousand flights yesterday, over four-thousand flights were canceled over the weekend. In several interviews yesterday, Duffy said that air travel would slow “to a trickle” if the shutdown continues, while Sen. Chuck Schumer said over the weekend that the flight cancellations were a “political stunt.” Controllers have been working without pay, and the FAA said it's taking these steps to make sure flying stays safe.
2 Senate Votes 60-40 To Advance Funding Bill
The Senate voted to move forward on a House-passed bill to fund the government last night, marking a major step toward ending the shutdown. The vote was 60 to 40, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to advance the measure that had failed 14 times before. The final tally on the vote was stuck at 59-40 for over two hours until Sen. John Cornyn returned to the chambers to cast his vote in favor. Senate Republican leaders are expected to change the bill to add a package of full-year spending measures as part of the deal to end the shutdown, along with extending temporary funding through January. After the Senate finishes, the House will also need to approve the bill before it can go to the president to be signed, so even if things move forward smoothly, there’s still no forecast for when the shutdown will end. The Senate adjourned for the evening after the vote and is scheduled to reconvene at 11 am today. House leaders have reportedly told the chamber’s members to be ready to return to the House floor for a vote this week with 36-hours’ notice.
3 President Trump Floats The Idea Of Giving Most Americans Thousands In Cash
President Trump posted on Truth Social over the weekend suggesting that Americans should get direct cash payments for health care instead of money going to insurance companies, and that people should receive $2,000 dividends from tariff money. However, administration officials quickly said these weren't formal proposals being sent to the Senate. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett both said Trump was just brainstorming ideas to help end the government shutdown, which has lasted over 40 days. Bessent said any proposal depends on reopening the government first. The posts came as Republicans and Democrats remain stuck over the shutdown, with recent polls showing Americans blame Republicans more than Democrats for the situation.