U.S. Government Shutdown: Back Pay Dispute Escalates as Air Travel Faces Mounting Delays
U.S. Government Shutdown: Back Pay Dispute Escalates as Air Travel Faces Mounting Delays
The U.S. government shutdown entered its seventh day on October 8, 2025, with no clear resolution in sight as political leaders remain deadlocked and the impact on federal workers and public services intensifies. A contentious White House memo suggesting that furloughed federal employees may not be guaranteed back pay has ignited a fresh dispute, drawing sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
The shutdown’s repercussions are growing, particularly within the nation’s air travel system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reporting a significant increase in low staffing levels at air traffic control facilities, reminiscent of the 2022 travel boom. This has already led to major flight delays in key hubs like Denver, Newark, and Detroit, and even forced California’s Hollywood Burbank Airport to operate for several hours without air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged a rise in sick calls among controllers, exacerbating existing shortages.
While the Smithsonian Institution’s museums are funded through October 11, the National Gallery of Art has already closed its doors, becoming the first federal museum in D.C. to do so. On the humanitarian front, the Trump administration announced plans to use tariff revenue to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which was reportedly running low on funds due to the congressional impasse.
The political stalemate continues in Washington, with the Senate repeatedly failing to pass dueling measures to fund the government. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the chamber would continue voting on the same competing bills. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are pushing for an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, a demand Republicans have largely rejected until the government reopens. President Trump’s shifting statements on back pay for furloughed workers and willingness to negotiate on healthcare have added to the confusion and frustration. House Speaker Mike Johnson, contrasting with Trump’s earlier assessment, stated that “real pain is being felt by real people” due to the ongoing shutdown.
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