Senator Proposes $10,000 Bonus for All Air Traffic Controllers and FAA Techs

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is pushing to grant a $10,000 bonus to every air traffic controller and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technician. This proposal challenges a plan from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that would limit the extra pay. Secretary Buttigieg's plan would award the bonus only to controllers and technicians who did not miss a single work shift during a recent government shutdown. These professionals are considered essential and were required to work without pay until funding was restored. Senator Duckworth argues that all these workers deserve the bonus for their service and the financial hardship they endured. The debate centers on how to recognize federal employees who are forced to work during funding gaps.