[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2746-S2747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  FAA

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, on Newark Airport, for months and now 
especially this week, Americans flying in and out of Newark Airport 
have experienced increasing delays and disruptions. Airlines are 
canceling flights. There is a shortage of air traffic controllers. They 
are relying on 1990s technology in 2025. One Newark air traffic 
controller even said that flying into Newark is ``not safe.''
  Keeping the flying public safe and our national air space efficient 
is the responsibility of Donald Trump's FAA. They are failing 
spectacularly. So today, I am demanding a full Inspector General Office 
investigation into what happened at Newark so these problems do not get 
worse or spread to other airports around the Nation. I am demanding 
that the OIG, the Office of Inspector General, investigate answers to 
these questions:
  One, why were Potomac TRACON, Philadelphia TRACON, and New York 
TRACON--the control towers in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York--
excluded from the FAA's list of hard-

[[Page S2747]]

to-staff facilities, even when there was a clear shortage?
  They gave 13 other facilities bonus pay so they could attract more 
people. Why not New York, Washington, and Philadelphia, where it is 
worse?
  Second, what is the plan to reduce decades-old technology, equipment, 
and infrastructure at our airports?

  One of the reasons Newark had a problem was a copper wire burnt. Did 
they ever hear of fiber optics over there at the FAA?
  Three, what is the plan to quickly fill critical leadership 
vacancies?
  Members have been fired at the FAA, and others have quit out of just 
disgust. Well, there are a lot of vacancies, especially in the higher 
positions. We need to fill them. What is the plan?
  Other airports across the Nation could see similar problems like 
Newark if the FAA does not take this investigation seriously.

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