Representative Jasmine Crockett says the federal government’s shutdown isn’t likely to end until ordinary Americans start to feel it — at the airport, in their paychecks, and in the broader economy.
Air Traffic Controllers Will End The Shut Down
Air traffic controller Derick Hines is using the new Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) at the Nashville International Airport on July 21, 2005. The upgrade system improvements could boots safety and reduce travel delays.
In a recent interview, the Dallas Democrat described a frustrating stalemate in Washington that she says will only break once the public pressure becomes too heavy to ignore. “If we were going to sit down and have a kumbaya at the table, we could have done that by now,” she said. “This will end the same way the last one did — when the pain hits home.” That “pain,” Crockett warned, will begin with the country’s transportation system. During the 2019 shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — air traffic controllers calling in sick forced delays at major airports, finally compelling the White House to cut a deal. Crockett believes that could happen again. “It was the air traffic controllers who were able to stop that shutdown,” she said. “They are the key to stopping this one too.”
The Longer The Shutdown The Higher The Consequences
TSA agent Heather Wiatrak instructs visitors how to navigate the security area during an open house at Pittsburgh International Airport’s new landslide terminal on Oct. 11, 2025.
Already, the signs of strain are visible. The U.S. federal court system, which employs more than 33,000 people, is preparing to send many home without pay. Others will continue working, also without paychecks. It’s the first time in nearly 30 years that’s happened. Crockett said the consequences of the shutdown will soon ripple beyond Washington. “You’re going to have people saying, ‘I have to leave my job — TSA or whomever — because I need income that’s actually coming in,’” she said. “But if you’re furloughed, you can’t just go get another job. Even though they’re not paying you, you could lose your job if you try.”
Crockett Has Terse Words For Republicans Lawmakers
Republicans, for their part, say the solution is simple: pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government, then debate health care and other issues later. Representative Roger Williams of Texas said last week that Congress should “get the government back in business, get the soldiers paid, and get America rolling again.” Crockett, however, says she doesn’t buy it. “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time,” she said, quoting Maya Angelou. “If Republicans really cared about reopening the government, they would’ve done it already. The reason we’re here is because they failed to pass their appropriations bills by September 30th.” She continued, “They never did their work. Now they’re acting like this shutdown just fell from the sky.”
Crockett Calls For Public Pressure To End Standoff
Crockett also defended the Affordable Care Act subsidies. “Our health care system is terrible,” she said. “We pay more than any other developed country, and still, millions of Americans can’t afford care. The ACA wasn’t perfect, but it was a middle ground.” For now, she said, the best-case scenario is that public pressure forces an end to the standoff — and soon. “When flights are delayed, when the paychecks stop coming, when the economy slows down — that’s when this shutdown will end,” Crockett said. “And that’s the sad part. It shouldn’t take that much to get people to do their jobs.”
