Womack Remarks at Oversight Hearing on Federal Aviation Administration

Today, we welcome testimony from Bryan Bedford, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Administrator Bedford, thank you for joining us today. We want a genuine partnership with you as you undertake the enormous task of modernizing our air traffic control system. I appreciate your leadership in deploying the resources this Congress has provided. 

The $12.5 billion infusion from the budget reconciliation package last year, combined with the resources this subcommittee has provided, has kick-started something historic – a generational rebuild of the National Airspace System that has been deferred for far too long.

We know this job is not easy, and we are here to be a partner in the effort – even as we exercise our oversight responsibility, tracking progress against milestones as this multi-year effort unfolds. Our eye is on a common goal that benefits not just the traveling public, but the economy as a whole. If we all row in the same direction, we will build a truly modern, efficient, world-class system.

Any major, multi-billion-dollar effort carries risk. Even if we encounter the occasional setback in executing something this transformative, I know we can work together to right the ship. NextGen fell short, as we all know. This effort cannot fail.

I am pleased that our FY27 bill continues to provide the FAA with resources to modernize the system. The facilities and equipment funding in our bill, coupled with the reconciliation dollars, is giving the agency a strong downpayment to make our aviation system the gold standard of the world.

None of this works without people. Hiring and retaining air traffic controllers remains one of your greatest challenges. I know your workforce plan sets real targets – 2,200 new controllers this fiscal year, climbing to 2,400 by FY28. 

I am pleased that you met your hiring targets last year – exceeding 2,000 new hires – but we cannot underestimate the challenge ahead in finding the best possible controller candidates and getting them into the facilities where they are most needed. 

Because of this, we’ve included resources in our bill to meet your FY27 hiring goals and hope that fully staffed air traffic control facilities are an attainable goal in the not-too-distant future. 

But controllers are only part of the equation. The technicians, engineers, and specialists who install, maintain, and operate this new equipment are just as essential, and I want to hear how the FAA is building that technical workforce alongside the controller corps.

Air traffic control is not the only piece of this puzzle. Airport infrastructure – runways, taxiways, and the ground systems that keep aircraft moving safely – is just as high a priority for members of this Subcommittee, and for the flying public. 

A modernized airspace system only delivers on its promise if the airports it serves can keep pace. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on infrastructure needs along with the technology upgrades already underway.

I want to thank you again, Administrator Bedford, for being here and for the work you and your team are doing every day to keep the traveling public safe. This is a big undertaking, but I am confident that with good faith and hard work on both sides, we will get this right for the American people. I now recognize the Ranking Member, Mr. Clyburn, for his opening remarks.