The Department of Transportation announced that it is giving bonuses to some federal employees who had to work and maintained a perfect attendance record during the recent government shutdown, the longest one in the nation’s history.
776 air traffic controllers and technicians are being given $10,000 bonuses for their service during the shutdown. Recipients will receive an automated notification during the week of November 24 and get the payments no later than December 9, 2025.
“These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. He added, “This award is an acknowledgement of their dedication and a heartfelt appreciation for going above and beyond in service to the nation.”
In a post on X, he wrote:
President Trump wanted to give air traffic controllers and technicians BONUSES for showing up to work EVERY DAY during the government shutdown… and TODAY IS THE DAY!
776 patriotic men and women will get $10K checks, just in time for Christmas ✈️
God bless the patriots of our skies!
President Trump had said recently that he wanted bonuses to be given to air traffic controllers who kept working during the government shutdown. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.”
Among the various problems that stemmed from the government shutdown, disruptions to flights were among the most visible. On November 6, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered air traffic to be reduced by 10% at 40 major airports because the government shutdown fueled staffing problems among federal transportation workers who had to work without pay.
Duffy stated that the move was essential to ensure the safety of air travel during the shutdown. Due to weeks of unpaid wages, some air-traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers resorted to taking side jobs or calling out of work.
Once the shutdown ended, the restrictions were lifted, although airlines had warned it could take several days for operations to return to normal.
TSA officers were among the federal employees who had to work during the government shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security announced recently that it had awarded $10,000 bonuses to TSA agents “who went above and beyond” during the shutdown.
