Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Transportation

This meeting of the subcommittee focused on the Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request and its implications for national transportation infrastructure and safety. Discussions covered critical areas such as aviation safety, grant management, workforce levels, and infrastructure development across various modes, often highlighting areas of both bipartisan agreement and significant policy disagreement. Secretary Duffy, a former member of Congress, detailed the administration's priorities and actions, while committee members expressed both support and concerns regarding budget details and programmatic shifts.

Themes

Department of Transportation FY26 Budget Request

The Department of Transportation is requesting $26.7 billion in discretionary budget authority for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes significant increases for air traffic modernization, port and shipyard infrastructure, freight rail safety, and multimodal freight expansion. Committee members expressed concern about the lack of detail on $1.4 billion in cuts and a proposed $4.1 billion reduction to IIJA FY26 advance appropriations, noting that the overall budget remains largely unknown. Secretary Duffy highlighted that the DOT budget received an increase under President Trump's plan and that the department has already saved taxpayers approximately $9.5 billion by reallocating funds from social justice and climate-related projects and improving efficiencies. [ 00:07:31-00:08:25 ]

Grant Management and Project Efficiency

Secretary Duffy identified a backlog of 3,200 grant awards inherited from the previous administration, many dating back to 2022, which he characterized as stalled by "inaction and inefficiencies." He committed to streamlining the grant tracking process by consolidating information into one dashboard to enhance transparency for grantees and the public. The Secretary also noted that 40% of money spent on projects often goes to consultants and permitting, stressing a desire to allocate more funds directly to construction and delegate more authority to states for quicker, more efficient project execution. [ 00:29:39-00:30:25 ]

Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Control

A primary concern was the state of the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system, with mentions of the recent DCA collision, telecommunications issues at Newark, aging technology, and staffing shortfalls at the FAA. Secretary Duffy outlined efforts to address ATC shortages by hiring more controllers, improving testing and training at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and offering bonuses to experienced controllers to prevent retirement. He acknowledged that the "skinny budget" might not fully cover the extensive costs of modernizing the entire system, which committee members estimated could require $30 billion. [ 00:11:27-00:12:22 ]

Workforce Reductions and Congressional Authority

The administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce, including probationary employee dismissals and buyouts, were discussed, with concerns raised about a 12% reduction in DOT staffing since January 2020. Secretary Duffy asserted that critical safety mission positions, such as air traffic controllers, have been protected and that the department aims to "do more with less." Committee members emphasized Congress's "power of the purse" and the need for proper congressional notification for departmental restructuring, grant awards, or program eliminations. [ 00:09:25-00:10:26 ]

Equity and Social Justice in Transportation Funding

A contentious discussion arose regarding the Secretary's decision to pull funds from projects tied to "social justice" and "climate requirements," which he categorized as adding unnecessary costs. Representative Clyburn strongly challenged this, citing historical social injustices in infrastructure development and arguing against labeling such investments as wasteful. Secretary Duffy defended his stance by referencing the Supreme Court's Harvard decision and asserting that these requirements increased costs without directly contributing to safety or project quality.

Rural Transportation and Emerging Technologies

Discussions also covered the unique challenges of rural transportation, including high fatality rates on rural roads and the future of rural airports and the Essential Air Service program. Secretary Duffy indicated a commitment to working with Congress to provide cost-effective service for rural communities and highlighted the potential of technology, such as autonomous vehicles and drones, to enhance safety and efficiency across the transportation network. He also expressed strong concern over the dilapidated condition of the Merchant Marine Academy, advocating for significant investment. [ 00:54:05-00:54:19 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely serious and concerned, particularly regarding safety issues across all transportation modes. While there was a prevailing spirit of bipartisanship on the shared mission of ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system, several exchanges became contentious, especially concerning budgetary allocations and the redefinition of "social justice" projects. Despite these disagreements, a professional and respectful demeanor was generally maintained, underscored by heartfelt condolences and shared commitment to the family of a pilot lost in a recent aviation accident. [ 00:14:19-00:14:41 ]