U.S. faces mounting travel chaos, food aid disputes, and renewed Senate tensions as the Trump administration’s shutdown stretches into week six.
Air travel across the United States descended into chaos on Friday November 7, 2025, as hundreds of flights were canceled amid the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its sixth week with no resolution in sight.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered 40 major airports to cut flight operations by 10%, citing critical staff shortages and safety concerns. Air traffic controllers, working unpaid since the shutdown began, have warned of fatigue and burnout as they continue managing busy skies with reduced manpower.
Flight tracking service FlightAware reported that more than 800 flights had already been canceled by midday, affecting major carriers including American, United, and Delta Airlines. Travelers faced long lines and widespread confusion as airlines scrambled to rebook passengers.
“This is the final straw,” said passenger Sandy Humes, waiting in a crowded terminal. “We’re exhausted. It feels like no one cares about the people stuck in this mess.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford called the restrictions a “proactive safety measure,” promising normal flight levels would resume once staffing stabilizes. However, he warned that further reductions could follow if conditions worsen—an ominous prospect with the busy Thanksgiving travel season just weeks away.
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In a separate development, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately release full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to millions of Americans after accusing the government of “deliberate delays” during the shutdown.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell said it was “unacceptable” that families had gone nearly a week without aid, directing the Department of Agriculture to tap emergency reserves to restore food stamp payments. The Justice Department has said it will appeal the ruling, leaving the future of the program uncertain.
Meanwhile, political negotiations in Washington remain deadlocked. Senate Republicans introduced a new proposal offering Democrats a guaranteed future vote on healthcare subsidies in an effort to end the standoff. But bipartisan divisions persist, and the shutdown appears far from over.
In the Senate, lawmakers also voted down a resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump’s authority to launch military action against Venezuela. The measure failed 49 to 51, with two Republicans joining Democrats in support.
As the shutdown drags on, its ripple effects continue to widen—from grounded planes and delayed food aid to rising political frustration—leaving millions of Americans bracing for more uncertainty ahead.
Africa Daily News, New York
