Maryland Democrats Call for End to Government Shutdown as Airport Workers Go Unpaid
Maryland Democratic officials are urging an end to the federal government shutdown to ensure essential airport workers receive pay for their continued service during the budget stalemate.
Maryland Democratic officials held a news conference at BWI airport on Wednesday to highlight the financial strain on essential federal workers who continue working without pay during the government shutdown. Representative Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat representing Maryland's 3rd Congressional District, emphasized that 550 TSA agents and 70 air traffic controllers, support staff, and management personnel at BWI are currently working without compensation as essential employees.
The officials delivered what Elfreth described as a simple message: Shutdowns don't fly. Governor Wes Moore and Democratic members of Maryland's congressional delegation joined in calling for Congress and the president to end the budget stalemate, now in its eighth day. This marks the first federal government shutdown since 2018, which lasted 45 days and affected thousands of Maryland residents in Washington D.C. suburbs and beyond.
Essential workers, including air traffic controllers and TSA agents responsible for airport safety and security nationwide, continue reporting to work despite the absence of paychecks until the government reopens. Republicans, however, place responsibility for the shutdown on Democratic members of Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated in a press release that Senate Democrats hold the key to resolving the impasse, noting that Republican votes alone cannot break the stalemate that requires 60 Senate votes.
President Trump has also blamed Democrats for the shutdown. Meanwhile, Democratic officials gathered at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport presented their perspective. Senator Chris Van Hollen asserted that President Trump has not come to the negotiating table and called for bipartisan negotiations to reopen the government.
The economic impact extends to more than 250,000 Maryland residents employed by the federal government. While state officials acknowledge limited ability to cushion the economic blow, they are providing assistance for housing, utilities, and loans. The Federal Shutdown Loan Program offers essential workers who cannot apply for unemployment insurance a $700, no-interest loan that must be repaid 45 days after the shutdown ends, according to the Maryland Department of Labor. Non-essential federal employees may be eligible for unemployment insurance, and the labor department encourages furloughed individuals to visit their website to learn more about available resources.