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A labor union that represents thousands of US air traffic controllers is warning that the ongoing government shutdown is jeopardizing aviation safety.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: As of today, the US government has been shut down for 28 days, resulting in millions of federal employees either furloughed or working without pay, and intensifying the political deadlock in Washington. Republicans and Democrats are trading blame for the prolonged standoff, each accusing the other of prioritizing political agendas over reopening the government. Democrats are demanding that any funding bill include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire in 2025, arguing that failing to act will cause health insurance premiums to spike for millions of Americans ahead of open enrollment. Republicans, however, argue that the government must be reopened before policy negotiations continue, and claim that Democrats are using the shutdown to push a broader healthcare agenda (including efforts they say would extend benefits to illegal immigrants).

What’s going on now: In a plea that’s growing more louder by the day, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) warned that “America’s air traffic controllers are now having to focus on how they put gas in the car, how do they take care of their children, how do they pay for child care,” which they say is making the system less safe. NATCA President Nick Daniels told reporters at a press conference that controllers are being forced to work long, high-stress shifts without pay, while worrying about basic necessities and even critical medications for their families. “I got a message from a controller that said, ‘I’m running out of money. And if [my daughter] doesn’t get the medicine she needs, she dies. That’s the end.’”

To make ends meet, many controllers have taken on second jobs (driving for ride-share apps, delivering food, or picking up odd work) while still being required to report for duty in one of the most mentally demanding professions in the country. “Air traffic controllers have to have 100 percent of focus 100 percent of the time,” Daniels said. “And I’m watching air traffic controllers going to work… They’re distracted, they’re fatigued. It’s unnecessary and putting them in a horrible position.”

In an effort to fix this, NATCA is urging passengers to call members of Congress and demand an end to the shutdown, warning that the longer it continues, the harder it will be to maintain operational safety in the skies.

This comes as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is echoing NATCA’s concerns, noting that flight delays due to staffing shortages have surged dramatically. Duffy reported that while staffing-related delays typically account for around 5% of daily disruptions, that number has now spiked to 44% on Sunday and 24% on Monday. He also warned that ongoing delays are likely to persist as the FAA nears the end of its available funds for training stipends and recruiting new controllers.