In Brief: The U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association have jointly called on Congress to resolve funding disagreements to prevent disruptions that could negatively impact the nation’s travel infrastructure and hospitality businesses.
Following House and Senate passage of separate continuing resolutions to keep the federal government funded, the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America (A4A) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) yesterday sent a joint letter urging congressional leaders to quickly resolve the differences between the two measures and enact a stopgap funding bill before the September 30 deadline.
Without swift action when Congress returns in September, travelers, frontline aviation workers and businesses across the country once again face unnecessary uncertainty and the risk of a government shutdown.
“Congress must finish the job,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO, U.S. Travel. “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.”
“It’s simply outrageous that we are even talking about yet another shutdown,” said Chris Sununu, President and CEO, Airlines for America (A4A). “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. Congress must act.”
“Americans should not have to worry that political gridlock will once again upend their travel plans,” said Rosanna Maietta, President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). “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.”
In the letter, U.S. Travel, A4A and AHLA warn that another government shutdown would force TSA officers, air traffic controllers and other essential aviation personnel to work without pay, worsening staffing shortages and increasing the risk of longer security lines, flight delays and cancellations. National parks, museums and other federal attractions could face closures or reduced services, disrupting travelers and visitor-dependent communities nationwide.
The letter also notes that the previous 43-day government shutdown delayed or canceled more than 9,000 flights, disrupted travel for more than six million passengers and cost the U.S. travel economy an estimated $1 billion per week. The organizations urge Congress to enact a continuing resolution before September 30 while advancing long-term reforms to ensure TSA officers and air traffic controllers remain paid during future funding lapses.
