As the federal government shutdown drags into its seventh week, the ripple effects are being felt from state capitols to airport terminals, with mounting anxiety over the toll on everyday Americans. On Friday, November 7, 2025, the National Governors Association (NGA) and a coalition of local organizations sent a pointed letter to congressional leaders, urging them to break the impasse and reopen the federal government. Their plea, echoed by mayors, county officials, and state legislators, underscored the growing sense of urgency: "We are at risk," they warned, as political gridlock threatens everything from economic stability to national security.
The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history according to the NGA, has left state and local officials scrambling to fill the gaps left by absent federal funding. The letter, signed by the NGA, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National County Associations, paints a stark picture of the consequences. "History has shown that even after a shutdown ends, states and localities will feel its ripple effects for months," the coalition wrote, highlighting vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness, food insecurity, infrastructure maintenance, and even the functioning of the federal court system.
One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of federal dollars for food assistance programs. Without these funds, states are forced to make tough choices, straining their own resources to support families in need. The coalition’s letter spelled out the challenge: "The unpredictability of the shutdown makes it impossible for state and local officials to predict when specific harmful impacts will reach our communities, hindering our ability to plan and coordinate timely and effective responses."
While the shutdown’s effects are being felt nationwide, nowhere is the disruption more visible than at the nation’s airports. On Saturday morning, November 8, 2025, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago became a flashpoint for the frustration boiling over among federal workers. Members of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, representing about 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense, picketed outside the airport between Terminals 2 and 3. Their message was clear: the shutdown is endangering aviation safety and taking a personal toll on their families.
"We are calling public attention to the impact the government shutdown is having on aviation safety and the personal toll it is taking on our families," PASS union members declared as they held signs and chanted for lawmakers to end the stalemate. Many of these workers have been furloughed or are working without pay, a situation that, according to union leaders, is unsustainable and unfair.
The picket lines coincided with a ground delay at O’Hare, issued until 8:29 p.m. due to staffing shortages. Departures to Chicago were delayed an average of 44 minutes, and the knock-on effect was immediate: 83 flights were canceled at O’Hare and another 16 at Midway International Airport. These disruptions are part of a broader wave of flight reductions nationwide, as airlines struggle to cope with the shortage of federal workers and the uncertainty of the shutdown.
United Airlines, one of the largest carriers at O’Hare, has published a running list of affected flights on its website, urging customers to check for updates before heading to the airport. The airline is making an effort to avoid cuts between its major hub airports—O’Hare, Denver, and Houston—but admits that the situation remains fluid. American Airlines echoed this sentiment in a statement on Friday: "Since this situation is fluid, customers are notified as soon as a cancellation decision is made. There’s no way to tell how much advance notice will be given or any timeline. The best thing is to sign up for notifications." For travelers, the message is clear: expect the unexpected.
But the impact goes far beyond missed flights and delayed vacations. The shutdown is straining the very fabric of state and local governance. According to the NGA and its partners, the lack of clarity from Washington has left state and local officials in the dark, making it nearly impossible to plan for the future. "The unpredictability of the shutdown makes it impossible for state and local officials to predict when specific harmful impacts will reach our communities," the coalition warned. This uncertainty is especially acute in areas like disaster preparedness and infrastructure maintenance, where delayed federal funding can have cascading effects for months—or even years—to come.
Major airlines have sounded the alarm as well, warning that the ongoing shutdown could force further reductions in service if the situation is not resolved soon. The president of the largest federal workers union has broken with the Democrats’ position, publicly calling for the government to reopen. This rare move underscores the depth of frustration among federal employees, many of whom have now missed several paychecks.
In the halls of Congress, the mood is tense. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the upper chamber could work through the weekend if Democrats block the House-passed funding bill. The standoff has become a test of political will, with both sides digging in and little sign of compromise on the horizon. For the governors and local officials who signed Friday’s letter, the message is simple: enough is enough.
"We are at risk," the coalition wrote, capturing the anxiety felt by millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on a functioning federal government. The letter’s signatories represent a broad cross-section of the country, from big-city mayors to rural county officials, all united in their plea for action. "Diverse economic sectors have called for an immediate solution," the letter noted, highlighting the breadth of the shutdown’s impact.
As the shutdown enters its 39th day, the stakes could hardly be higher. From airport runways to food banks, the consequences of congressional inaction are becoming impossible to ignore. For state and local officials, the message to Washington is clear: resolve the shutdown swiftly, before the damage becomes irreparable.
While travelers at O’Hare and Midway check their phones for updates and federal workers picket in the cold, the rest of the country waits—and wonders how much longer they’ll have to endure the uncertainty. The shutdown’s effects, as history has shown, will linger long after the politicians strike a deal. For now, the only certainty is that the costs are mounting, with no end yet in sight.
