Some senators stranded in DC because of government shutdown

Some senators are finding themselves stranded in Washington, D.C., at the end of the Senate workweek because of delays at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport linked to the monthlong government shutdown.

The Senate held its last vote of the week at 1:35 pm Thursday and, as usual, senators raced out of the Capitol to catch their flights home for the weekend.

But some lawmakers were in for a rude awakening when they discovered that their flights have been delayed because of the shutdown that has put a severe strain on air traffic controllers around the country, including at National Airport.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) revealed to reporters that he would be stuck in D.C. longer than expected because of the turmoil at National Airport and warned that flight problems are likely to get worse in the days and weeks ahead.

“I’m delayed,” Thune told reporters when asked if he was impacted by the traffic snarl.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay at National Airport on Thursday because of “staffing” issues, although it lifted the hold by the afternoon. Departures have been delayed 90 minutes as a result.