John Thune: “Even before the shutdown, our air traffic control system was…”

“They have an important job and I know that every controller shares a commitment to putting safety first, whether it's a normal day, the middle of a snowstorm, or a government shutdown. Mr. President, Even before the shutdown, our air traffic control system was facing challenges and modernization efforts have been a priority for both the Trump administration and for Congress this year. Before the holiday, the Commerce Committee's Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing that examined air traffic operations during the shutdown, as well as the challenges that existed prior to the shutdown and that still exist today.” (01:36–01:46)

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.