Washington, D.C. — In response to the new Administration’s mass firings and other attacks on the FAA’s workforce, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee Steve Cohen (D-TN), Vice Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee Nellie Pou (D-NJ) and fellow T&I and Oversight Democratic Committee members wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy demanding transparency as to why qualified and dedicated FAA employees are being indiscriminately fired.
“The traveling public deserves a steady and fully staffed Federal Aviation Administration, and the agency’s workforce must be allowed to focus on its important mission instead of responding to unproductive and vague inquiries that only serve as unnecessary distractions,” the Members wrote.
“Our Committees are willing to work with you to find ways to strengthen our air traffic control system and bolster safety for the flying public. However, mass terminations and other shortsighted actions negatively impacting the FAA’s workforce only serves to suppress much needed expertise and reduce the talent pool needed to meet the evolving needs of the NAS. This harms not only the agency, but puts the nearly 3 million airline passengers it serves each day at risk,” the Members continued.
The Members urged Secretary Duffy to reverse the reckless actions and asked for answers to multiple questions, including to clarify their plans to mitigate the impact of the firings on U.S. aviation.
To read the full letter, click here.
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