A coalition of travel companies has issued an unambiguous and urgent warning to U.S. lawmakers, cautioning them about the severe repercussions the nation could face if the ongoing government shutdown is not resolved before the Thanksgiving holiday. In a strongly worded letter sent on Monday, the U.S. Travel Association implored congressional leaders to take immediate action to restore government operations and thereby avert what it described as an impending wave of nationwide disruption. The organization emphasized that the consequences of allowing the funding lapse to extend through one of the busiest travel seasons of the year would not only be chaotic but also economically catastrophic across every state.
The letter, addressed to the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, conveyed an especially dire tone. It highlighted that Thanksgiving, traditionally the most heavily trafficked travel period on the American calendar, is swiftly approaching, and that any continuation of the shutdown would produce instantaneous and far-reaching consequences. Millions of Americans preparing to visit family, attend gatherings, or travel for leisure could experience immediate hardship. Beyond personal inconvenience, the broader economic impact would reverberate across local communities that rely on the holiday rush for critical revenue. More than 500 travel-related businesses and associations affixed their signatures to the letter, demonstrating a rare unanimity within the sector and underscoring the depth of concern felt throughout the travel, hospitality, and transportation industries.
According to the association, the U.S. travel economy has already incurred losses amounting to approximately four billion dollars since the shutdown began. Should federal agencies remain closed through Thanksgiving week, those financial damages could multiply exponentially. Days such as the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding the holiday, along with the following Sunday—known to be among the peak air travel dates each year—pose particular risk. If the shutdown persists, staffing shortages could intensify, leading to mounting delays at airports, longer security lines, and an increase in flight cancellations and disruptions. These logistical strains threaten to derail family reunions and holiday plans across the country. As the letter warned, this is the moment for congressional leaders to exhibit decisive leadership and prevent a full-scale travel crisis that could tarnish the holiday season for countless Americans.
Since the shutdown commenced on October 1, airports nationwide have already been struggling with measurable slowdowns and system-wide disruptions, a direct result of staffing deficits among critical federal workers such as air traffic controllers. Many of these employees are continuing to work without pay, while others, faced with mounting financial pressure, have sought temporary sources of income elsewhere, reducing the workforce available to maintain smooth operations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has publicly acknowledged that some air traffic controllers have chosen not to report for duty simply because they cannot afford to work indefinitely without compensation. Their absence compounds an already strained system, causing ripple effects that delay flights, strain airline operations, and create bottlenecks throughout the aviation network.
The standoff stems from a political impasse between Democratic and Republican lawmakers, primarily centered on disagreements over continued federal subsidies for health insurance premiums offered through the Affordable Care Act exchange. Without these subsidies, insurance costs would rise for many Americans, increasing both the financial and political stakes of the ongoing dispute. Meanwhile, as the shutdown drags into its second month, concerns are multiplying that logistical and economic damage will only grow. Vice President JD Vance, speaking candidly to reporters at the White House, echoed the alarm raised by the travel sector, warning that Thanksgiving travel could quite literally descend into disaster if no resolution is reached in time. He noted that by the holiday, many affected federal employees could have missed three or four consecutive paychecks, raising a troubling question: how many of them will be unable—or unwilling—to continue working under such conditions? His remarks underscored that the crisis is as much about human endurance and economic stability as it is about political negotiation.
The overall message from the travel industry is clear and pressing: the clock is ticking. Unless lawmakers act swiftly to restore government funding and ensure that federal workers can perform their essential duties, the nation risks turning its most cherished holiday of gratitude and reunion into a period defined by frustration, uncertainty, and economic loss. The call to action is not merely a plea for political compromise—it is an appeal to safeguard the movement of millions of travelers, the financial health of countless communities, and the reputation of a transportation system already straining under the weight of inaction.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-travel-chaos-companies-warn-government-shutdown-2025-11
