Press room

Travel Industry To Congress: End Shutdowns

Travel industry leaders urged the House to quickly pass the Senate-approved government funding package, pointing to the 2025 shutdown that cost the economy $6 billion, disrupted more than 6 million travelers, and strained the aviation system by forcing TSA officers and air traffic controllers to work without pay. The group, which includes AHLA, U.S. Travel and Airlines for America also called on Congress to advance bipartisan legislation to guarantee pay for aviation workers during future funding lapses to protect travelers and maintain confidence in the air travel system. Separately, AHLA welcomed a new temporary rule releasing up to 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 to help hotels meet seasonal workforce needs ahead of major events like the FIFA World Cup and America250, while continuing to push for long-term program reforms.