Lawmakers will weigh new investments to modernize the air traffic control system.
WASHINGTON —
Flight schedules are expected to fully recover by Sunday night following the longest nationwide ground stop in 25 years, but the debate over modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system is far from over on Capitol Hill.
As of Sunday morning, the tracking website FlightAware had reported more than 1,400 total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States. That’s a significant improvement from the 6,692 cancellations reported yesterday.
“Based on everything that we’re hearing from our airline partners, they believe that they’ll be able to have full schedule integrity by the close of business on Sunday. So I do think the worst is behind us,” said Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford during a press conference on Saturday morning.
Bedford was among the federal officials who sought to reassure Americans that it is safe to fly. They traced Friday’s disruptions to “routine maintenance” on telecommunications lines, saying a router overloaded the air traffic control system, possibly due to an installation error or faulty equipment.
Officials say the system is now stable, but a broader modernization of the air traffic control system is long overdue.
Ground stop fuels funding debate
The Trump administration is seeking tens of billions of dollars from Congress to finish the ongoing system overhaul, but at least some Democrats are skeptical of the dollar figure.
In a joint statement on Saturday, top Democrats serving on committees questioned why the Department of Transportation needs more funding when the agency has yet to spend most of the $12.5 billion included in the president’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which was signed into law last year.
The statement noted that the FAA and DOT are expected to brief committee staff on Monday about the additional $30 billion originally requested by the administration. Rep. Rick Larsen, ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee next year, told POLITICO last week that he hasn’t “seen a path yet for another $30 billion.”
Rep. Marilyn Strickland, another Democrat who serves on the House Transportation Committee, suggested that the administration should tap into the surge of immigration enforcement funding approved by the Republican-led Congress to pay for the air traffic control improvements.
“A lot of money went to ICE. The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to use that money and repurpose it. So before you start asking and demanding Congress for more money, tell us what you’re spending now, with what we already gave you, and then make the case for why you need more funding,” Strickland told CNN on Saturday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday that the $12.5 billion has helped pay for significant improvements so far, including replacing nearly 70% of dated copper telecommunications lines with high-speed fiber.
Duffy said they’ve deployed new technology at 143 towers that gives controllers a digital representation of the airfield, an added tool in case fog or other issues reduce visibility. He said they’ve also been able to convert 30-year-old radio systems at 469 sites to provide clearer communications between controllers and pilots.
“If we don’t make these upgrades, we have a less safe system. We can’t continue on technology from the 80s,” Duffy said.
Will Congress investigate?
Some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for a thorough investigation into what caused the ground stop on Friday.
However, House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News over the weekend that an investigation isn’t necessary.
“We don’t really need any investigation. Understand, we need further investment,” Johnson said, adding that it’s Congress’ responsibility to update air traffic control equipment.
Even if Republicans don’t pursue an investigation, Democrats will likely take action in the new year, when the party takes control of the House and Senate following sweeping gains in the midterm elections.
Rep. Robert Garcia, who is poised to chair the House Oversight Committee, wrote on social media this weekend, “There must be full public transparency on what happened to our air travel systems and why. We need answers to ensure our systems and technology are funded and upgraded to ensure the safety of the public.”
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