The government shutdown hits Day 38 on Friday, and flight cancellations are rippling across U.S. airports as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) looks to ease the burden on unpaid air traffic controllers.
The Department of Transportation announced it would start by cutting 4 percent of flights on Friday, ramping up to as much as 10 percent in the coming days and weeks. By midday Friday, 1,226 flights had been canceled across the U.S., according to FlightAware.
The Senate is expected to vote for the 15th time to reopen the federal government. But Friday’s vote, if it meets the 60-vote threshold, will come with a twist: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is aiming to amend the legislation and attach a three-bill spending package, which has been part of negotiations with Democrats, if it advances.
Advancement is unlikely, as Democrats don’t believe they can trust President Trump to act in good faith to extend health insurance subsidies or to stop firing federal workers.
Trump welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the White House at midday, where the duo will discuss Russian oil purchases.
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