Keeping America’s Skies Safe: Appropriators Examine FAA Safety, Workforce, and Modernization
Washington, D.C. – Today, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR), Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), and THUD subcommittee members conducted an oversight hearing of the Federal Aviation Administration. Appropriators underscored the shared goal of strengthening our airspace and supporting U.S. aviation manufacturing, while conducting oversight of drones and advancing emerging technologies.
Read on for highlights from the hearing:
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) said, "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."
Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "Whether at the gate, on the flight deck, in the skies above, or just landed – your mission is clear: safety, security, and efficiency. Congress is here to reinforce those key pillars and provide the investment and oversight necessary to ensure the FAA has the resources, workforce, and capabilities to carry them out. When we discuss safeguarding our national airspace, supporting U.S. aviation manufacturing, overseeing drones, and advancing emerging technologies, I am proud to say this subcommittee does more than just talk about these priorities. We fund them. We oversee them. And we work to ensure America continues to lead the world in aviation."
Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Vice Chair Stephanie Bice (R-OK) said, "First of all, let me say thank you, Administrator Bedford, for visiting the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. As Mr. Cole mentioned, it's incredibly important to Oklahoma, and we appreciate the students that are training there to keep our skies safe every day... I've been briefed on a couple of activities that could accelerate and ensure that cutting-edge technologies like high-power microwave systems can be tested safely within the United States. What additional authority or resources does the FAA need to expedite those efforts?"
Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL) said, "My district in North Alabama is home to the Port of Huntsville – a unique, multi-modal complex that includes Huntsville International Airport. The Huntsville airport integrates air, cargo, rail, and highway connectivity to support critical supply chains for national security and economic growth, and it is the only FAA-licensed commercial space-entry site in the United States. Administrator Bedford, multimodal ports strengthens our domestic supply chain and provides more reliable and efficient movement of critical goods and materials across our country. When the FAA evaluates infrastructure needs at an airport like Huntsville International, how does it account for its broader role as a part of a multi-modal freight network supporting our defense, industrial base, and critical domestic supply chains?"
Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) said, "I want to talk a little bit about a general aviation airport in Jacksonville, Florida, which is in kind of a unique situation. As you may or may not know, following a decision by the 1993 BRAC Commission, they closed Naval Air Station Cecil Field, and that airfield was decommissioned in 1999 and was transferred to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. However, it proudly remains critical to a variety of national defense, particularly the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, and it plays a critical role in federal counter-narcotics operations...It's not your typical general aviation airport; it really is more of a military airfield, but it isn't eligible to compete for grants. What I'd like to ask is if we could work with you and your staff to look at some type of way that we can expand the grant opportunities to help maintain the runways, the aprons, the taxiways...because it is a massive effort."
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) said, "Unauthorized drones continue to pose a potential threat to critical and military installations, including the possibility that hostile actors could use drones to conduct surveillance or facilitate an attack. Given that the FAA manages the national airspace system, while DHS, DOJ, and DOW have varying authorities to detect and counter these threats, how is the FAA coordinating with these agencies to ensure unauthorized drone activity over critical infrastructure and military facilities is quickly identified and addressed? Further, are there gaps in FAA's current authorities, technology, or interagency coordination that are preventing the federal government from effectively deterring and responding to these threats?"
Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) said, "I want to circle back as I close to controller staffing. You updated us on that earlier in your remarks, but taking it close to home in Indianapolis, IND... the acute shortages that we've wrestled with in the New York/New Jersey airspace play right on through to IND, Columbus, and other secondary, mid-sized airport markets. I wrestle with it as a consumer. Can you offer – as best you may – an updated timeline to getting the controller staffing in the New York/New Jersey airspace up to where we've got to get to so it doesn't directly, acutely affect airspace such as IND?"
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said, "I was – right before this, actually, as I walked in – meeting with some of the folks from home regarding the Tucson International Airport and the Tucson Airport Authority. My next question is...the Tucson Airport Authority is in the middle of an airfield safety enhancement program project. While the airport has been fortunate to secure significant grant funding – which they're very grateful for – the uncertainty has been difficult as they plan the various phases moving forward. As you know, the FAA engages in letters of intent in various projects, but not airfield safety projects. What prevents the FAA from entering into letters of intent for airfield safety projects, and could the FAA enter into a letter of intent with airports that outline its financial commitments, particularly for multi-layered projects and multi-year projects such as the airfield safety enhancement program, which can take up to 10 years to complete?"
Appropriators are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly to strengthen our nation’s aviation system, which will improve the experience of the travelling public, enhance safety, and provide far reaching benefits to the American economy.
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