- Travel groups are urging Congress to avert a government shutdown.
- They issued a joint letter after House and Senate funding votes.
- The organisations cited the previous 43-day shutdown as an example.
THE U.S. TRAVEL Association, Airlines for America and the American Hotel & Lodging Association urged Congress to resolve differences between the House and Senate funding bills. They called for a stopgap measure before the Sept. 30 deadline to avert a government shutdown.
The groups issued a joint letter after the House and Senate passed separate continuing resolutions to fund the federal government. A shutdown could disrupt air travel, affect aviation workers and create uncertainty for businesses, they wrote.
“Congress must finish the job,” said Geoff Freeman, USTA president and CEO. “America just demonstrated what’s possible when the travel system is operating at its best. A government shutdown would reverse that progress. We’ve seen this before: more than six million travelers affected, over 9,000 flights disrupted and billions in economic losses. Congress must resolve the differences between its funding bills before travelers and businesses once again pay the price.”
The groups warned that TSA officers, air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel would have to work without pay during a shutdown. This could worsen staffing shortages and lead to longer security lines, flight delays and cancellations. National parks, museums and other federal attractions could face closures or reduced services.
This could disrupt travellers and communities that depend on tourism, the groups warned.
The organizations cited the previous 43-day government shutdown as an example of the impact. More than 9,000 flights were delayed or cancelled, over six million passengers were affected and the U.S. travel economy lost an estimated $1 billion a week.
Chris Sununu, A4A president and CEO, said it was outrageous that they were talking about another shutdown.
“Americans have endured this government malpractice before: flights disrupted, shipments delayed and essential aviation workers forced to work without pay. Solutions are on the table,” he said. “Congress must act.”
“Americans should not have to worry that political gridlock will once again upend their travel plans,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “Government shutdowns create uncertainty that discourages travel and impacts the millions of hotel employees and small business owners who depend on a strong travel economy. Another shutdown is entirely avoidable. Congress must act to fund the government and protect America's travelers, workers and hotels.”
The three organisations also called for reforms to ensure TSA officers and air traffic controllers are paid during future funding lapses.
In May, AHLA raised concerns about U.S. hospitality, including franchising regulations, staffing shortages and rising operating costs. It urged Congress to pass the American Franchise Act to codify the joint employer standard and preserve the franchise model.
