Republicans and Dems let the gov't shut down on 09/30/25, then what?

[Moriarty]

@iiandyiiii

I think the shutdown will continue until after the Nov elections

The last shutdown, which was also under Trump, was the longest in history : 35 days.

During that time, essential workers like air traffic controllers were required to work, even though they weren’t being paid. Eventually, they just started calling in sick, which created mass disruptions at airports, and led to Congress being forced to resolve the issue.

Point being, there will be stresses on this government that will make a prolonged shutdown unlikely.

The 35-day shutdown that marked President Donald Trump’s first term finally ended after some controllers along the East Coast called out sick, forcing cascading delays. The resulting turmoil was widely credited for helping reopen the government hours later.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/flight-delays-shutdown-bargaining-00598848

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet.

[JackieLikesVariety]

@Moriarty

there will be stresses on this government that will make a prolonged shutdown unlikely.

I hope so, but also feel this is too optimistic. after all, the people making decisions don’t care how hard it is on people, that’s clear.

[JackieLikesVariety]

@EddyTeddyFreddy

Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet.

and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP.

[Pleonast]

@JackieLikesVariety

and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP.

Many of the air traffic controllers don’t even need to fake it. It’s a high stress job, made even higher stress by circumstances. No surprise that they’re getting physically and emotionally sick.

[Saint_Cad]

@DrDeth

The GOP has a majority in both houses of Congress. In no way shape or form is this the fault of the Democrats.

A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members.

[Saint_Cad]

@EddyTeddyFreddy

Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet.

Considering the controversy of whether minority applicants for ATC are held to lower standards to create diversity as per MAGA, I suspect many non-Anglo controllers will not be allowed back into the tower.

[Pleonast]

@Saint_Cad

A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members.

A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time.

That Republicans have more than 51 votes for their budget, but apparently not enough to change the rules, indicates the fault lines in their caucus.

[Saint_Cad]

@Pleonast

A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time.

That is true, but history has shown neither party wants to get rid of the filibuster completely. But if they change the rules so no filibuster is allowed on budget bills, I think everyone could get behind that.

[JackieLikesVariety]

@Pleonast

It’s a high stress job, made even higher stress by circumstances. No surprise that they’re getting physically and emotionally sick.

@Saint_Cad

I suspect many non-Anglo controllers will not be allowed back into the tower.

bottom line, we are all much less safe. the controllers working, those of us who need or want to fly, those living near airports: everyone is less safe. “are we great yet?”

[Pleonast]

@Saint_Cad

But if they change the rules so no filibuster is allowed on budget bills, I think everyone could get behind that.

Yep. I think it’s the most probable outcome of this shutdown. The Republicans used the reconciliation rules with a filibuster exception to get where we are. There’s no reason for them not to add another exception to move forward.

[Saint_Cad]

Make Airports Great Again

[Toxgoddess]

I was supposed to fly to a city five hours away by car next week. I cancelled my flight and rented a car.

Hopefully the airlines will also start to feel the heat and pressure the Pubs to get off their asses and govern.

ETA: maybe not “govern” so much as stop hurting people.

[DrDeth]

@DeadTreasSecretaries

The issue is that the senate majority could always just change their mind and go back to a simple majority for recission packages.

@DeadTreasSecretaries

But the senate can always choose to make an exception to the filibuster for anything

@ThelmaLou

Exactly. Since when does following the rules even matter anymore?

@Saint_Cad

A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members.

@Pleonast

A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time.

See above. The GOP has already changed the filibuster rules, when the Dems were objecting to a SCOTUS candidate. The can chamge them anytime they want to.

[alphaboi867]

[quote=“JackieLikesVariety, post:84, topic:1023157”]

and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP.

[/quote]

I know it’s illegal for air traffic controllers to go on strike, but if they did go on strike anyway it doesn’t seem like there’s a practical way to punish them en masse. If you fire them all who’s going to replace them? The Air Force? That doesn’t seem practical, especially in the long term. How did Reagan pull that off back in the 1980s? I imagine there’s alot more Air traffic since then.