House Republicans are mulling President Donald Trump’s request for more funding for the struggling air traffic control system as the administration makes major cuts to federal spending, including at the Federal Aviation Administration.
A hearing set for Tuesday at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the air traffic controller shortage and outdated systems follows a fatal midair collision in Washington, D.C., in January and subsequent aviation accidents and near misses that have sparked concerns across the country.
The White House is requesting Congress provide an extra $858 million in a funding stopgap bill for the FAA “to maintain air traffic services, hire and train air traffic controllers, and continue aviation safety oversight while avoiding critical service degradations,” according to the latest list of requests.
