Cole Remarks at Oversight Hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board
Thank you, Chairman Womack, and thank you Ranking Member Clyburn. Welcome, Chair Homendy. Thank you for appearing before us today and for your service.
Our nation’s transportation systems are relied on by Americans and passengers from across the globe. We not only expect, but demand, that they reflect the gold standard in safety. Yet, recent accidents in our skies, waterways, and railways have raised serious concerns and questions. From the mid-air collision at Reagan Washington National Airport to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collision, these tragedies have brought devastating loss and underscored the need to ensure these situations are never repeated.
The bottom line is, when you get on a plane, drive over a bridge, or board a train – you shouldn’t have to wonder if you’ll make it to your destination safely. The mission of Chair Homendy and her team at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is essential to that point. They investigate why an accident occurred and identify measures to prevent it from happening again. They don’t speculate – they find the facts necessary to uphold the highest standards of reliability and safety.
It’s for these objectives of improving safety and saving lives that we have prioritized increased resources for the NTSB in our FY25 and FY24 funding measures. During my time chairing this Subcommittee, I secured an 8.2 percent increase to your funding levels in the final FY24 THUD bill. I greatly value our interactions and work together, Chair Homendy, and look forward to continued engagement.
This Subcommittee, as it always has, will continue to ensure safety is an utmost priority in the funding decisions we make. Your agency is a fulfillment of this priority.
As we begin the FY26 appropriations process, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to responsibly fund the critical safety missions and transportation infrastructure needs of this country.
Thank you, Chairman Womack. I yield back.
