A group of U.S. senators are asking the Transportation Department secretary to address firings at the Federal Aviation Administration and SpaceX’s involvement in overhauling air traffic control systems.
Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Warner, D-Va., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., sent a letter to Secretary Sean Duffy “expressing deep concerns” regarding job terminations at the FAA and the “troubling involvement” of “unaccountable entities” involved in “critical aviation safety decisions.”
The lawmakers are urging Duffy to reverse personnel reductions that they say are essential to aviation safety.
The senators wrote, “We write to express our deep concerns with the recent firings of [FAA] personnel and the involvement of a cadre, unaccountable to the American people, in critical aviation safety decision making. This past week has seen mass firings of Federal workers, done without regard to personal performance, the impact on mission effectiveness, and the effect on the country’s ability to deliver services at home or compete abroad. We urge you to stand up for the safety of our national air space and reverse these devastating cuts in key safety roles.”
The senators point to several aviation incidents over the past month, highlighting accidents and near misses while underscoring the need for highly trained, impartial professionals at the FAA. They stress the need to remain committed to safety and refrain from promoting political agendas at the cost of air safety.
“We need experienced, qualified, and impartial professionals to investigate these unfortunate incidents, develop plans to prevent these types of accidents from occurring in the future, and implement those plans with the safety of the public as the sole and guiding objective,” the lawmakers wrote.
While the senators point to several high-profile aviation accidents and near misses, data from the National Transportation and Safety Board shows January experienced the lowest number of accidents reported during the first month, dating back to 1982. In addition, February is on track to break record-low numbers as well.
The senators also raised concerns over SpaceX and Elon Musk’s involvement in revamping air traffic control systems, which the Trump administration has voiced a need to do as part of the Department of Government Efficiency.
The lawmakers say they are troubled by Musk, his employees’ and SpaceX’s involvement, arguing they have been “investigated and fined by the FAA for multiple incidences of safety violations, and is at this time actively under investigation” for safety violations.
The senators call for several detailed answers from Duffy, specifically the role of SpaceX, the process used to evaluate and select contractors and the impact of FAA personnel on the “safety and effectiveness of FAA operations.” Lastly, they demand “full public accounting” and transparency in the decision-making process, leading to significant changes.
Despite the senators’ claims, the Trump administration denies any critical of essential employees of the FAA have been eliminated, claiming they are focused on positions centered around diversity, equity and inclusion.
