Sean Duffy Fires Back at Elizabeth Warren Over Air Traffic Control Funding Vote
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A War of Words Over Air Traffic Control
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy isn't letting Senator Elizabeth Warren's criticism slide. The back-and-forth started when Warren took to X on Tuesday, quoting a Fox News post about Duffy's comments on dressing up for flights.
Warren threw several punches at once. She pointed out that Trump had "ripped away rules to make airlines compensate you for canceled flights" and that President Donald Trump had fired air traffic control staff, causing flight disruptions that were "causing chaos" for travelers. Her kicker? Amid all this turmoil, the Transportation Secretary was advising people to "dress for success."
She has a point about the compensation rules. Earlier this year, the Trump administration did rescind a regulation that would have compensated passengers for flight delays or disruptions.
Duffy's Counterpunch
Duffy's response was swift and pointed. "Senator Warren voted against $12.5 billion to modernize America's air traffic control system," he fired back. That's not pocket change, and according to Duffy, it's just the down payment. He'd previously noted that fully modernizing the nation's air traffic control technology would run upwards of $31 billion, with that initial $12.5 billion outlined during the early days of the Trump administration.
Shutdown Fallout Hits Aviation
The context here matters. The historic 42-day government shutdown wreaked havoc on the aviation industry. Duffy had warned of widespread delays as air traffic controllers and employees worked without pay, facing uncertainty about whether they'd ever see that money. The Trump administration announced flight cuts across major U.S. airports to manage staffing shortages.
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) CEO Robert Isom joined the chorus urging lawmakers to end the impasse, noting the airline was experiencing "difficulties" with "operating delays and issues with air traffic control."
Workers eventually got assurances about back pay from Duffy, who also announced that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians would receive a $10,000 bonus for showing up to work every single day during the shutdown.
Not Duffy's First Fashion Rodeo
This isn't Duffy's first spat over sartorial suggestions. He recently tangled with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized him for suggesting Americans dress up for flights ahead of Thanksgiving. Duffy responded with what appeared to be a dig at Newsom's fashion sense, reassuring passengers they could still wear "skinny jeans" on flights.
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