Press Releases

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) today applauded the major pilot unions that publicly urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to fund and reopen the federal government.

The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), the Allied Pilots Association (APA), the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, which collectively represent over 60,000 pilots, have all asked Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution and end the shutdown.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Graves said, “Our aviation system has operated safely throughout the shutdown, but it’s putting an incredible and unnecessary strain on the system, and on our air traffic controllers, flight crews, and many other aviation professionals. Weeks ago, the House passed a clean continuing resolution to fund the government, but Senator Schumer and others who are refusing to pass it in the Senate are playing political games with our aviation system, with Americans who rely on it for travel, and with air traffic controllers and many others who are working without a paycheck. I commend the pilot unions for recognizing that the best way to end this shutdown immediately and ensure that our aviation system operates as safely and efficiently as possible is for the Senate to pass the clean continuing resolution and reopen the government.”

Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls said, “The Democrat Government Shutdown is putting our aviation system in jeopardy. The Democrats’ political games are causing an unnecessary and severe strain on our aviation system, including our air traffic controllers, flight crews, and other aviation professionals who all work around the clock to keep our airspace operating and safe for the flying public. Senator Schumer and all Senate Democrats should put aside their egos and do the right thing for the American people. They need to stop catering to the radical left, vote to reopen the government, and pay those who are working without a paycheck, including air traffic controllers. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and many Americans will be flying across the country to see their family and loved ones. They deserve to do so safely and without disruptions. My House Republican colleagues and I passed a continuing resolution to keep the government open, and it is past time for the Senate to do the same.”

Earlier today, Chairman Graves joined Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and other House Republican leaders to discuss the shutdown and how it’s impacting the American aviation system and air traffic controllers.