EXCLUSIVE: House Democrats raise tens of thousands of dollars from air traffic controllers despite voting to shut government down

House Democrats raised boatloads of money from the unions of industries they have been punishing. Here are the details.

The Schumer Shutdown is almost over — but the ramifications are unlikely to end any time soon, as the Democrats’ historic obstruction saw longstanding members of the Democratic Party’s coalition abandon Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D., N.Y.) strategy of closing the government.

One of the most surprising groups to demand that Senate Democrats work with Republicans and pass a Biden-era clean continuing resolution was the union of air traffic controllers. A Washington Reporter review of campaign finance donations from groups like the National Air Traffic Controllers Association PAC (NATCA PAC) and the FAA Managers Association (FAAMA) show how both groups have donated tens of thousands of dollars to top Democrats and to Democrats running in competitive elections.

Democrats, especially those in the House of Representatives, voted against the GOP-led bills that would have prevented the nationwide flight cancelations and delays that have wrecked travel plans for millions of Americans.

Over the years, Democrats like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) have raised tens of thousands of dollars from NATCA PAC and FAAMA. But Jeffries is far from alone. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has also received tens of thousands from the very same organizations whose members she had been voting to harm for almost two months.

Both NATCA PAC and FAAMA have been regular donors to more rank and file Democrats, as well, sending tens of thousands of dollars to Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Ohio), Susie Lee (D., Nev.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D., Wash.), Eugene Vindman (D., Va.), Tom Suozzi (D., N.Y.), Steven Horsford (D., Nev.), Nellie Pou (D., N.J.), Frank Mrvan (D., Ind.), Mike Levin (D., Calif.), Greg Landsman (D., Ohio), Josh Harder (D., Calif.), Jim Costa (D., Calif.), Jared Moskowitz (D., Fla.), Laura Gillen (D., N.Y.), Gabe Vasquez (D., N.M.), George Whitesides (D., Calif.), Emilia Sykes (D., Ohio), Don Davis (D., N.C.), Derek Tran (D., Calif.), Darren Soto (D., Fla.), and Adam Gray (D., Calif.).