Washington, Oct 7 (NationPress) The shutdown of the US government has now reached its seventh day, leading to significant flight delays at numerous airports nationwide.

Delays have been reported in major airports including New York, Denver, and Los Angeles due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Staffing issues are also evident in Washington, DC, Newark, New Jersey, and Jacksonville, Florida.

A pilot at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California on Monday attempted to communicate with the air traffic control tower but was informed, “The tower is closed due to staffing,” as per audio documented by LiveATC.net.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has placed blame on the Democrats for the ongoing crisis, claiming they jeopardize the welfare of air traffic controllers and their families.

“Our air traffic control workforce deserves to go to work, get paid, and not have the distraction of a government shutdown threatening their well-being and the well-being of their families,” he shared on X.

During the shutdown, military and civilian personnel are not receiving pay, with approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers working without compensation. The Department of Transportation has also suspended hiring and training activities for air traffic controllers.

Duffy stated on Monday that a federal program designed to subsidize air travel to rural areas is set to deplete its funds by the end of the week if the shutdown continues.

“Many small communities across the nation will no longer have the resources to ensure air service in their areas,” he noted.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to negotiate with Democrats to restore government operations following another unsuccessful funding bill vote in the Senate.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump remarked, “I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open.”

Earlier, while addressing the press, Trump mentioned that discussions on healthcare with Democrats are ongoing.

“We are engaging with the Democrats, and some positive changes regarding healthcare could emerge,” he stated.

Republicans have accused Democrats of seeking healthcare subsidies for illegal immigrants, which Democrats have dismissed as a falsehood propagated by the Trump administration.

Democratic leaders claim they are advocating to reverse healthcare cuts for American citizens included in the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year.

Additionally, approximately two-thirds of employees from the National Park Service, the federal agency overseeing national parks, have been furloughed, impacting tourist attractions like caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, and White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

In Washington, DC, landmarks including the Library of Congress, the National Archives Museum, the Washington Monument, and the National Arboretum have been closed, with tours of the Capitol Building and the Pentagon also suspended.

Last week, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and the National Zoo in Washington announced they would remain open to the public until October 11.

This marks the first US government shutdown in seven years, following a previous shutdown during Trump’s first term that lasted 35 days, making it the longest in history.