President Nick Daniels of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association warned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party that the ongoing government shutdown is posing serious safety risks in U.S. airspace.
The NATCA, which represents more than 10,800 certified air traffic controllers nationwide, has repeatedly called on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to end the shutdown — now on track to become the longest in American history.
The House approved a clean CR a month ago, but Democrats have blocked it more than a dozen times, insisting on tying the measure to their partisan legislative demands.
Daniels emphasized that air traffic controllers are unfairly shouldering the weight of the shutdown, with thousands now working exhausting six-day, 10-hour shifts amid an existing shortage of 3,800 personnel.
As essential workers, controllers are required to remain on the job, yet many are facing severe financial strain. They received partial paychecks for pre-shutdown work on October 14, followed by $0 paychecks on October 28 and in the pay periods since — leaving many with more than 120 hours of unpaid labor.
The shutdown has also furloughed 2,350 support staff — including engineers and technicians — while freezing new controller hiring and training and pausing critical maintenance and modernization projects, leaving the air traffic system increasingly vulnerable.
In an interview with Fox News, Daniels said hundreds of controllers have been forced to take second jobs just to make ends meet amid the prolonged shutdown.
“These American patriots, they are the unsung heroes that Secretary Duffy speaks about so often. They are the ones that have been thrust into the spotlight, into center focus of a shutdown. And air traffic controllers, we don’t start shutdowns, we’re not responsible for ending shutdowns. Who does? Congress,” he said.
“And that’s why we’re saying, end the shutdown immediately. It’s not like we’re sitting here talking about an aviation issue. We’re talking, I understand the fears, the frustrations of the American people. We want to do an amazing job on their behalf, and we are. We’re showing up to work every day, the best way that we can to get through this crisis. But this isn’t something that we asked for. We didn’t want to put ourselves in the middle of it,” he added.
“Yet here we are, the rope in the tug of war game that we didn’t ask for at all. And we should not be used as political pawns in any way, shape or form for these shutdowns,” Daniels noted further.
WATCH:
Air traffic controllers have become a focal point in the government shutdown standoff, as flight delays and cancellations ripple across more than 20 U.S. airports.
Over the October 31–November 2 weekend — the worst stretch since the shutdown began — the FAA logged 98 “staffing triggers,” forcing ground stops, reduced arrival rates, and flight reroutes. Half of the nation’s 30 busiest airports reported staffing shortages, with absences in the New York area soaring to 80 percent.
NATCA and aviation experts have issued grave warnings, saying the shutdown is “eroding critical layers of safety” and rendering the National Airspace System “less safe with each passing day.”
Schumer has openly admitted that Senate Democrats are dragging out the government shutdown for political gain. In an October 9 interview with Punchbowl News,
He went even further, effectively insulting the intelligence of his own voters by insisting the shutdown is the GOP’s fault because Republicans “control everything.” In reality, that’s flatly untrue — Senate Republicans can’t pass a clean continuing resolution without 60 votes.
Family life is often thought of as the safe haven where we expect to find love, protection, and trust. Within the walls of a home, parents work hard to provide their children with a nurturing environment, filled with warmth and stability. But what happens when the very person we trust the most reveals a side we never imagined?
This is the story of a woman who discovered something unexpected through the lens of a hidden camera. What she saw shook her to her core, forcing her to reevaluate not only her marriage but also the very foundation of her family.
I never imagined that something as simple as checking a home camera would alter my life in such a profound way. Like many parents, I had installed the device for safety reasons — to keep an eye on things when I wasn’t in the room. It was meant to give me peace of mind, not to open the door to a painful reality.
As I watched the footage, I noticed my husband sitting with his phone in hand. At first, it seemed like an ordinary moment, but then his demeanor shifted. His expression hardened, and he put down his phone abruptly. He walked toward our young daughter with a stern look that I had rarely, if ever, seen before.
My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold. His tone was cold, his gestures sharp. Our daughter, so innocent and unprepared, looked up at him with confusion in her eyes. Instead of comfort, she was met with harsh words and visible frustration.
Children are incredibly perceptive, yet fragile. They may not always understand the complexities of adult emotions, but they instantly feel the shift in energy. My daughter’s reaction was heartbreaking to watch. She instinctively stepped back, her small body trembling, unsure of what she had done wrong.
Rather than guiding her gently, he gestured angrily. His body language was intimidating, and though I couldn’t hear the exact words, I could sense the weight of his disapproval. She looked frightened, not because of what she had done, but because she couldn’t comprehend why her father’s warmth had been replaced with coldness.
It was then that he reached out and grabbed her arm more firmly than necessary. He didn’t strike her, but the action itself was enough to make her uncomfortable. She tried to pull away, her eyes filling with tears. Watching my daughter in distress — helpless and scared — felt like a knife through my heart.
This wasn’t the man I had married. My husband had always been kind, gentle, and affectionate. He had once been the type of father who read bedtime stories, who sat patiently with her during playtime, and who spoke softly when she cried. Seeing him act with such frustration and impatience was jarring, like watching a stranger take his place.
My mind filled with questions. Had stress at work triggered this behavior? Was he carrying hidden burdens that he hadn’t shared with me? Or was there a deeper, unspoken frustration that had slowly built over time?
It’s frightening to realize that the people closest to us might carry emotional struggles we can’t always see. I felt a mixture of betrayal, sadness, and confusion.
As I continued watching, I noticed moments where his anger seemed to fade. He would pause, release his grip, and step back. For a brief moment, guilt flashed across his face before he returned to his phone. These glimpses gave me a sliver of hope — perhaps he recognized that his behavior was wrong. Perhaps he wasn’t completely lost in frustration but was struggling to control emotions he didn’t fully understand.
Still, those pauses didn’t erase what had already happened.
Witnessing that scene left me shaken. I wanted to rush into the room, scoop up my daughter, and shield her from every ounce of fear. At the same time, I felt torn between anger at my husband and concern for his well-being. This was not a problem that could be ignored or brushed aside.
Parenting is challenging, and no one is perfect. But there is a line between discipline and intimidation — a line that should never be crossed. Children deserve guidance, not fear.
The weight of the discovery left me with a difficult choice. Do I confront him immediately, risking escalation? Do I pretend I never saw the footage, silently protecting my daughter on my own? Or do I search for help that could guide us toward a healthier resolution?
I chose the third path. As much as I was hurt, I knew that this was bigger than a single incident. Something deeper was at play. Ignoring it would not only endanger my daughter’s emotional well-being but also erode the very foundation of our family.
I reached out to a family counselor. It was one of the hardest calls I have ever made, but I knew it was necessary. A counselor could provide perspective, tools, and strategies for handling conflict without damaging relationships.
Through counseling, families learn how to communicate better, manage emotions, and rebuild trust. I hoped that with professional guidance, we could address the root cause of my husband’s behavior — whether it was stress, unspoken anger, or something else entirely.
It’s important to recognize that such situations are not always about cruelty. Often, they stem from untreated stress, mental health struggles, or unhealthy patterns learned from the past. Sometimes, individuals don’t even realize how their actions affect others until they are forced to confront the impact.
Parenthood can be overwhelming, especially when combined with financial pressures, work demands, or unresolved personal issues. These challenges don’t excuse harmful behavior, but they help us understand why intervention and support are so crucial.
Experts emphasize that children’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. A harsh word, an intimidating gesture, or a display of uncontrolled anger can leave lasting marks on a child’s sense of security.
When children grow up in environments where they feel fearful instead of safe, it can affect their confidence, their ability to trust, and their future relationships. That’s why addressing such issues early is essential — not only to protect the child but also to give the parent an opportunity to change.
I know the path forward won’t be easy. Healing requires honesty, patience, and commitment. For my daughter’s sake, I must ensure she feels safe, loved, and supported. For my husband’s sake, I hope he can confront whatever struggles led him to act this way. And for myself, I must find strength to balance compassion with responsibility.
We cannot erase what happened, but we can choose how to respond to it. My greatest hope is that this painful discovery becomes the turning point that helps us rebuild, rather than the fracture that breaks us apart.
While every family’s story is unique, many households face hidden struggles. Sometimes they remain behind closed doors, unnoticed until a moment brings them to light. For parents and partners, the lesson is clear: communication, empathy, and self-awareness are vital.
If you ever sense something is wrong, don’t ignore it. Seek support, whether through counseling, trusted family members, or community resources. Protecting children should always remain the highest priority.
The day I saw that footage was the day everything changed. My heart broke as a mother, but I also realized that silence would solve nothing. Love means holding one another accountable, even when it hurts.
This journey is far from over, but I believe in the power of healing. With the right guidance and determination, families can face even their darkest moments and emerge stronger. My hope is that by sharing this story, other parents will feel encouraged to seek help before problems grow too heavy to bear.
It was one of those perfect summer afternoons—clear skies, a gentle breeze, and the smell of fresh grass in the air. We had our picnic blanket spread in a quiet grove, away from the busy trail, while the kids ran barefoot through the dappled sunlight. Then our daughter wandered a little farther than usual. She stopped beside a tall tree and called out,
“Mom, Dad, come see! This tree has stripes—it’s so pretty!”
I looked over and saw her hand reaching toward the trunk. Something in my gut twisted. In an instant, my husband was on his feet, sprinting toward her. He grabbed her wrist just inches from the bark—and that’s when we saw it. The “stripes” weren’t part of the tree at all. They were alive.
Clinging to the trunk was a dense cluster of Lonomia caterpillars—one of the most venomous insects in the world. Perfectly camouflaged, they can fool anyone. A single brush against their spines can release potent venom, causing headaches, dizziness, and even internal bleeding, kidney failure, or death in severe cases. Children, seniors, and those with weaker immune systems are especially vulnerable.
Thanks to quick reflexes, disaster was avoided. We called local environmental authorities, who removed the caterpillars and posted a warning sign. That day changed the way I see nature. Now I teach my kids—and anyone who will listen—that some of the most beautiful patterns in nature can be dangerous. If you see unusual “stripes,” clusters, or insects you can’t identify, don’t touch—step back, and call the experts. Awareness and caution can save lives