WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is highlighting how air traffic controllers and other federal workers in Connecticut are being affected by the partial federal government shutdown.
The Democrat appeared Monday at Bradley International Airport with Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration workers to discuss the ramifications of them working without pay during the furlough.
"We missed our first paycheck. We all have mortgages, we all have rent, we have bills that have to be paid," said Christopher Scofield of East Granby, an airway transportation aystems specialist for the federal government.
While federal workers who are furloughed during the shutdown are eligible for unemployment benefits, those who must continue to report to work without pay are not, said Bluemnthal. He called on state officials to make all federal workers affected by the shutdown eligible, even if it requires state lawmakers to act.
About 1,500 federal employees who live or work in Connecticut are estimated to be impacted by the shutdown.
