Budget Hearing – Federal Aviation Administration

House Subcommittee on Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

2025-06-04

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Summary

This hearing reviewed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) budget request for the coming fiscal year, with Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau providing testimony to the subcommittee. The discussion primarily focused on balancing the rapid rebound in air travel with persistent safety concerns and the critical need for significant modernization across the national airspace system.

FAA Budget and Modernization

The President's budget requests $22 billion for the FAA, representing a 5% increase primarily allocated for operations, facilities, and equipment, including a new initiative called Project LIFT. [ 00:12:18 ]

Concerns were voiced that this budget might not fully address the scale of necessary improvements envisioned by Secretary Duffy. [ 00:12:26 ] Members recalled the "NextGen boondoggle," where technological advancements outpaced implementation, leading to inefficient spending. The FAA's core mission is to provide the safest and most efficient aerospace system globally, supported by a $27 billion commitment that includes $5 billion in previously enacted funds. [ 00:18:56 ] A substantial $4 billion is requested for facilities and equipment, with $1 billion dedicated to accelerating the modernization of telecommunications infrastructure by transitioning from outdated copper wires to an internet protocol-based network. [ 00:20:02 ] An additional $450 million is sought for a Radar Replacement Program to upgrade aging systems, which are currently contributing to increased outages and delays. [ 00:21:08 ] The Administrator noted that over 90% of current FAA funding is spent on maintaining existing, often degrading, equipment. A comprehensive modernization plan is outlined, projected to take three to four years, and may necessitate supplemental funding from Congress for full implementation.

Aviation Safety and Incidents

The committee acknowledged that the recent rebound in air travel to pre-pandemic levels has introduced challenges, intensifying scrutiny of safety systems. [ 00:09:06 ] Recent incidents, including a fatal crash at Reagan National, the Alaska Airlines door plug failure, multiple near misses, and general aviation accidents, underscore the urgent need to strengthen oversight, training, and coordination. [ 00:10:41-00:10:55 ]

The FAA is actively addressing these concerns through aggressive steps, such as identifying 20 national "hotspots" and leveraging AI and machine learning for data analysis. Specific interventions include adjusting helicopter and fixed-wing boundaries in Las Vegas, managing dense air traffic in the LA basin, and testing new satellite weather technologies in Alaska. The FAA is also directly engaging with diverse aviation communities, including general aviation, helicopter operators, ramp workers, and airlines, to reinforce safety standards. At DCA, operational performance is being improved by temporarily removing helicopter traffic to reduce complexity and by increasing authorized air traffic controller staffing. Despite these challenges, the Administrator maintained that the system remains "incredibly safe" and that safety is the agency's paramount priority.

Air Traffic Controller Staffing

A key discussion point was the FAA's strategy to alleviate air traffic controller shortages, with a budget request proposing the training of up to 2,500 new controllers in fiscal year 2026. [ 00:22:14 ]

The agency intends to boost recruitment by streamlining hiring procedures and increasing the starting salary for academy trainees by 30%. These efforts include maximizing academy enrollment, enhancing the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI), and providing opportunities for experienced military controllers. To improve the academy's historical 35% failure rate, the FAA is deploying additional professional instructors for basic courses and offering weekend tutoring with high-definition simulators. Experienced, retirement-eligible controllers are being offered a 20-25% salary increase to encourage them to remain on staff and help bridge the current staffing gap. The FAA has transitioned to a performance-based, merit-based hiring process for controllers, moving away from previous "DEI biologics assessments." Concerns were raised regarding the impact of overtime on controller longevity and the extensive two to three years required for new controllers to achieve full qualification at a facility.

Airport Infrastructure and Grants

The discussion underscored the difficulties airports face in planning long-term infrastructure projects due to uncertainties in funding timelines and FAA approval processes. The FAA is working to meet reauthorization mandates for 45-day project approval deadlines and is exploring the use of AI and categorical exclusions to streamline environmental assessments and grant processing. The Administrator asserted that recent Department of Transportation (DOT) downsizing has not directly affected grant review times, noting that a "serious backlog" is now being addressed, with momentum building to disburse grants. Emphasis was placed on prioritizing smaller airports, which rely heavily on automated weather systems, in modernization efforts through continuous technological refreshes. The FAA also committed to considering Pinal Air Park as a candidate for a new air traffic control tower under the contract tower program. [ 01:41:21 ]

Additionally, concerns were raised about the financial burden of PFAS remediation on airports, with the FAA acknowledging ongoing discussions and the critical need for appropriations to support these efforts.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Commercial Space

The integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, into U.S. airspace was a point of concern, specifically regarding potential threats and the necessity for comprehensive tracking and mitigation. The FAA confirmed that the airspace is capable of safely integrating UAS and is collaborating closely with national security partners such as the Department of Defense and Homeland Security on this matter. [ 01:16:28 ]

While the FAA cannot track every drone in the sky, it works with legal operators and employs UAS traffic management (UTM) systems for detection. The budget includes funding for drone detection and mitigation capabilities, and the FAA maintains a law enforcement assistance program to address non-compliant drone operations. [ 01:21:54-01:21:57 ] In the commercial space sector, rapid growth is anticipated, with launches projected to increase from 142 last year to nearly 200 this year. The FAA has implemented Part 450 to streamline licensing and utilizes a Space Data Integrator to coordinate launches effectively, minimizing impact on commercial air travel.

Staffing and Efficiency Concerns (Beyond ATC)

Concerns were expressed regarding the FAA's communication about becoming "leaner," which raised alarms about the agency's overall capacity and readiness, particularly affecting staff who support frontline workers. Questions arose specifically about a reported 12% departure of aeronautical information specialists, who are vital for updating navigation charts and data. The Administrator clarified that no safety-critical positions have experienced hiring freezes and that the agency is adapting by streamlining processes and leveraging existing talent. It was also noted that 400 probationary employees were terminated, with 360 subsequently reinstated due to a court case; the Administrator stated he was consulted on managing this transition while safeguarding safety-critical functions. [ 01:03:55-01:04:12 ]

The Administrator reassured the subcommittee that staffing reductions would not impede the FAA's ability to perform non-safety-related functions, such as certifications, airspace re-evaluation, or rulemaking.

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting was characterized by a largely bipartisan and cooperative tone, with members from both sides of the aisle emphasizing a shared commitment to aviation safety and the necessity of significant investment in modernizing the FAA's systems. While there was broad agreement on the importance of the FAA's mission, members posed direct and probing questions, expressing concerns about the adequacy of the proposed budget, past inefficiencies (such as the "NextGen boondoggle"), and the potential impact of staffing decisions on the agency's capacity and safety oversight. The Acting Administrator was commended for his candid and forthcoming responses, which fostered an environment conducive to productive discussion of substantive issues. A brief but pointed exchange occurred regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and their historical impact. Overall, the hearing demonstrated a serious and collaborative effort to understand and address the critical challenges facing the nation's aviation system.