Rep. Nick Langworthy, House Aviation Safety Caucus Chairman, asserts that the Biden administration diverted critical air traffic safety funds to social programs, potentially putting American travelers at risk.
Quick Takes
- Langworthy claims that funds intended for modernizing air traffic control systems were redirected to diversity initiatives under the Biden administration
- Republicans plan to allocate $12 billion for Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization in a new budget proposal under President Trump
- The bipartisan infrastructure bill provided $25 billion to the FAA, which lawmakers now consider insufficient for necessary upgrades
- Despite no major commercial airline crashes since 2009, recent incidents like the Newark airport blackout highlight the urgent need for infrastructure improvements
Misplaced Priorities Put Air Travelers at Risk
House Aviation Safety Caucus Chairman Rep. Nick Langworthy is raising serious concerns about America’s air traffic safety system. According to Langworthy, the Biden administration’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives came at the expense of critical infrastructure upgrades for our nation’s air traffic control systems. This misalignment of priorities has left essential safety systems outdated and potentially compromised the safety of American air travelers. Langworthy points to recent incidents, including power outages at major airports, as evidence of the consequences of neglecting core infrastructure needs.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which allocated $25 billion over five years to the Federal Aviation Administration, represented a significant opportunity to modernize outdated systems. Instead, Langworthy argues that much of this funding was diverted to social programs rather than addressing critical technological deficiencies. “That was before I came to Congress, but, you know, you had just mistaken priorities in that, all this DEI policy, DEI staffing, that all got baked into the cake. They could have taken that money and spent it on real modernization of what is critical infrastructure in this country,” Langworthy stated.
Biden admin prioritized 'social engineering' over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says https://t.co/7FruTeUELH
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Staffing Shortages Compound System Weaknesses
Beyond infrastructure concerns, Langworthy has highlighted the critical shortage of air traffic controllers as another area neglected under the previous administration. The demanding nature of these positions, combined with inadequate recruitment efforts, has left the system understaffed and existing controllers overworked. “We need more bodies,” Langworthy emphasized, calling for renewed efforts to attract young people to these critical roles. The congressman noted that these positions offer competitive salaries and meaningful careers in public service, but require proper support and resources.
“We should be promoting this to young people that want to look at career service in the government. And it comes with a very competitive salary. But it’s a tough job with a lot of hours. And you know, there’s always gonna be stress involved, but we have to prioritize it and not just take it for granted,” Langworthy said.
The staffing shortage creates a compounding effect when combined with outdated systems. Controllers are forced to manage increasingly complex air traffic patterns with technology that hasn’t kept pace with the growth in air travel. This creates additional stress for an already strained workforce and introduces unnecessary risk factors into the aviation system. Republicans have recognized this crisis and are working with President Trump’s administration to address both the staffing and infrastructure challenges facing air traffic control operations.
Republicans Pledge Major Investment in Aviation Safety
Looking forward, Langworthy and Republican lawmakers have developed a plan to rectify these shortcomings. Their proposal includes allocating $12 billion specifically for modernizing air traffic control systems—a significant increase over previous funding levels. This investment would update critical technologies, enhance safety protocols, and ensure American airspace remains the safest in the world. Langworthy has pledged to work closely with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to implement these changes efficiently.
“We had the longest period of incident-free aviation in this country’s history, where we didn’t have a commercial air crash from the time the crash happened in Buffalo, in my district, back in 2009, to just this year, and what happened at [Ronald Reagan Airport]. And it was avoidable,” said Langworthy.
While the United States has maintained an impressive safety record with no major commercial airline crashes since 2009, Langworthy warns against complacency. Recent incidents at airports nationwide serve as warning signs that the system requires immediate attention. By refocusing on core infrastructure and staffing needs, the Trump administration aims to ensure that America’s aviation system remains not only the busiest in the world but also the safest. Modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system represents a critical national security and public safety priority that transcends partisan politics.
Sources:
- Biden admin prioritized ‘social engineering’ over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says
- Biden admin prioritized ‘social engineering’ over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says
