May 10, 2025
| As Chair of the House Aviation Safety Caucus, my top priority is ensuring the safety of every American who steps onto an aircraft. That means holding the federal government accountable when it fails to invest wisely in our nation’s aviation infrastructure. You may recall President Biden’s so-called Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Despite its name, it fell far short in addressing one of our most critical infrastructure needs: modernizing our aging aviation system. Rather than directing sufficient resources toward air traffic control (ATC) upgrades, the administration focused on funneling funding to DEI and other progressive social initiatives—a missed opportunity with serious consequences. America once led the world in aviation safety, boasting a historic stretch without major incidents. But from the tragic 2009 crash in Buffalo to recent close calls at Reagan National and this week’s alarming air traffic control screen outage at Newark Liberty, it’s clear that our system is under strain—and it’s entirely preventable. During visits with air traffic controllers across NY-23, I’ve heard the same message repeatedly: “We need more personnel.” These skilled professionals are stretched thin, and we must do more to inspire and support the next generation to pursue this vital career.
Aviation is infrastructure. While the infrastructure bill included $25 billion for the FAA over five years, it’s nowhere near enough to bring our aviation systems into the 21st century. We need real investment—not political window dressing—and we shouldn’t wait until there is another tragedy or loss of life to take action. As President Trump and Secretary Duffy make Air Traffic Control modernization a national priority, Congress must follow through. These are the kind of taxpayer investments that are essential to our national safety and economy—exactly what we should be spending money on instead of corporate welfare or social engineering. We must make it a top priority to fully fund our air traffic control workforce and equip them with the tools they need to keep millions of Americans safe—because in aviation, lives are literally on the line. |
