House Aviation Chair Criticizes Biden Administration for Neglecting Air Traffic Control Safety

House Aviation Chair Criticizes Biden Administration for Neglecting Air Traffic Control Safety

The chairman of the Aviation Safety Caucus in the House of Representatives has accused the former Biden administration of contributing to the current air traffic control crisis by prioritizing progressive diversity initiatives over the urgent modernization of the nation’s aging air traffic control system.

Representative Nick Langworthy, a Republican from New York, voiced his concerns in an interview with Fox News Digital. He highlighted that key legislative measures, including the bipartisan infrastructure bill, represented missed opportunities to significantly enhance the air traffic control system.

Langworthy remarked that the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives distracted from critical infrastructure needs. He noted, “They could have taken that money and spent it on real modernization of what is critical infrastructure in this country.” His comments emphasize the importance of addressing air traffic safety, particularly in light of recent incidents that could have been prevented with better infrastructure.

Recent Incidents Raise Concerns

This critique comes on the heels of alarming events in air traffic control. A blackout at Newark Liberty International Airport recently disrupted air traffic control screens for approximately 90 seconds. Additionally, a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane near Washington, D.C., earlier this year, marking a tragic incident that raised questions about air safety.

Langworthy clarified that while he does not attribute air traffic control issues directly to diversity initiatives, he emphasized the poor allocation of funds. He stated, “It’s what they spent the money [on]. There are infrastructure projects in my district that focus on burying roads instead of addressing the immediate needs of air traffic control. Aviation is infrastructure, and it should have been prioritized.”

Funding Shortfalls for Modernization

The bipartisan infrastructure bill did allocate $25 billion over five years to the Federal Aviation Administration for modernization efforts. However, many lawmakers, including Langworthy, believe more funding is necessary to adequately address the challenges facing air traffic control. In a proposed budget reconciliation process, Republicans suggested an additional $12 billion specifically for air traffic control modernization.

During his interactions with air traffic controllers in upstate New York, Langworthy received a clear message highlighting the urgent need for more personnel. He indicated that there is a pressing necessity to attract young professionals to pursue careers in air traffic control, noting, “We should be promoting this to young people that want to look at career service in the government. It comes with a very competitive salary, but it is also a challenging job with long hours.”

Advocating for Increased Funding

Langworthy expressed his commitment to advocating for the funding required to modernize air traffic control systems. He stated, “I will absolutely lead the fight for the Transportation Secretary and the president on their plan to modernize our aircraft.” His advocacy reflects a strong desire to ensure that safety continues to be a priority within the aviation sector.

He further emphasized the importance of expedited funding allocation, asserting, “When the Secretary and the president roll this out as a spending priority, we must frontload this process. The flying public needs to know we are taking their safety seriously, as their lives hang in the balance.” Langworthy’s statements signify the growing concern among lawmakers regarding the state of air traffic control systems nationally.

Looking Ahead

The current state of air traffic control presents significant challenges that require immediate attention from both federal authorities and lawmakers. As public safety takes precedence, a concerted effort to modernize the air traffic control infrastructure is paramount. A collaborative approach involving various stakeholders will be essential to ensure that air safety remains uncompromised.

While the Biden administration’s policies may have shifted focus away from critical infrastructure initiatives, the voices of concerned lawmakers like Langworthy echo a growing demand for change. Ensuring that air traffic control systems are adequately funded, staffed, and modernized remains vital for the safety of millions of travelers across the nation.