Part 4/11:
The senator’s tone grew more serious as he outlined the human costs of the shutdown. Federal employees—air traffic controllers, military personnel, staff, and even pages—are not being paid. Starting the next day, airlines are expected to cancel flights due to the lack of air traffic control services, exemplifying how everyday Americans are directly affected.
He expressed confusion about whether certain social safety net programs, like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are still functioning, underscoring the uncertainty and chaos faced by many Americans relying on government support. While members of Congress continue to receive their salaries—despite publicly pledging not to—ordinary employees are bearing the financial brunt.