WASHINGTON – On the first day that air traffic controllers will work without a paycheck, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement slamming Senate Democrats’ votes against reopening the government, causing delays at airports and hurting workers and travelers in Texas and across the country:

“Air traffic controllers keep airports in Texas and across the country running safely and on time. Unfortunately, for too long they have been understaffed, overworked, and forced to operate archaic systems that Joe Biden did nothing to resolve while he was in office. The fact that Democrats are once again knifing the heart of this critical industry with their manufactured government shutdown should disgust all Texans.”

“As we approach the holiday travel season, Democrats must reverse course and vote to pass the short-term government funding bill that would reopen the federal government and get these workers the pay they have rightfully earned for keeping travelers safe.”

“Democrats told the press they will not relent on their shutdown unless there are ‘planes falling out of the sky,’ and they should be ashamed that they are putting Americans in harm’s way for politics’ sake.”