Thousands of New Jerseyans remain furloughed as government shutdown enters day 14
As the shutdown continues, 4,000 federal employees are now being targeted by the White House for layoffs.
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It's Day 14 of the government shutdown.
As the shutdown continues, 4,000 federal employees are now being targeted by the White House for layoffs.
At the same time, air traffic controllers and TSA employees are still working their jobs without getting paid.
At airports around the U.S., the FAA says that 53% of flight delays are due to a shortage in staffing of air traffic controllers.
Heading into the shutdown, there was a fear of callouts by those employees, as they may look to work other jobs to make money.
While air traffic controllers remain working, there are a total of 22,684 federal employees in New Jersey who are furloughed and waiting to see if the president will grant them backpay.
The president has suggested those workers would not be paid, even though that would violate current law.
In Newark on Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer was at the airport ready to fly back to Washington, where he’s calling on the House speaker to bring everyone back for a vote.
He’s especially concerned for those essential employees like air traffic controllers who aren’t getting paid.
“The president has said he’s not going to pay folks even for the time they’re working right now during the shutdown, that’s unacceptable,” said Gottheimer.
“They’re now wondering how they’re going to pay their rent and mortgages. Yet like so many other government workers they’re showing up.”
Among those 4,000 layoffs, the White House has targeted the special education staff at the Department of Education.
News 12 New Jersey reached out to the Department of Education to see how that might impact students.
