[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 200 (Monday, December 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8410-S8411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SPECIALIST SARAH BECKSTROM AND STAFF SERGEANT ANDREW WOLFE

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I begin, I want to profess my 
profound sorrow for National Guard member SPC Sarah Beckstrom. Sarah 
was one of two National Guard members shot in a targeted attack here in 
Washington, DC, on the day before Thanksgiving. The other Guard member, 
SSgt Andrew Wolfe, is hospitalized in grave condition. My prayers are 
with him and his family, as well as the family of Specialist Beckstrom.
  Sarah Beckstrom was just 20 years old. Andrew Wolfe is just 24. They 
are both at an age when many are quite naturally figuring out their 
path in life. But Sarah and Andrew chose early, and they chose 
service--service up to and including the sacrifice of their lives for 
their country and their fellow citizens. It is a remarkable thing, and 
may we never forget how much we owe men and women like Andrew Wolfe and 
Sarah Beckstrom.
  Again, my prayers are with the family of Specialist Beckstrom, and I 
am praying for Staff Sergeant Wolfe's full and swift recovery.


                          AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel 
seasons of the year. More than 80 million

[[Page S8411]]

Americans traveled for the holiday last week. And while most of them 
packed up the car and hit the road, about 6 million Americans boarded 
planes to spend the holidays with relatives and friends across the 
country. I am sure all of them were breathing a sigh of relief that the 
government shutdown was over and air traffic control had resumed normal 
operations before their trips.
  The impact on air travel was one of the most visible aspects of the 
chaos that ensued during the Democrats' 43-day shutdown. Flights were 
snarled throughout the shutdown, but it got progressively worse as the 
shutdown dragged on. By the time Democrats' shutdown entered its second 
month, the FAA was forced to order cutbacks in air traffic as a matter 
of safety, and more would have been required if we hadn't been able to 
finally reopen the government when we did.
  I am relieved that air traffic was able to get back to normal levels 
before the holiday travel surged. I am grateful to the thousands of air 
traffic controllers who were on duty during the shutdown without pay 
and who work hard every day to keep planes moving quickly and safely. 
They have an important job, and I know that every controller shares a 
commitment to putting safety first, whether it is a normal day, the 
middle of a snowstorm, or a government shutdown.
  Even before the shutdown, our air traffic control system was facing 
challenges, and modernization efforts had been a priority for both the 
Trump administration and for Congress this year. Before the holiday, 
the Commerce Committee's Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing that 
examined operations during the shutdown, as well as the challenges that 
existed prior to the shutdown and that still exist today. I appreciate 
Chairman Moran's attention to these important issues. I am grateful 
that my colleagues are taking the time to delve into the challenges 
facing air traffic control.
  At least our Republican colleagues are taking the time. The lead 
Democrat on that panel called the hearing ``political theater,'' and 
the Democrats' witness for the Aviation Subcommittee talked only 
about--get this--ObamaCare. That is right--ObamaCare. A hearing to 
examine air traffic safety and air traffic control, and that was the 
only witness the Democrats asked to come and testify.
  I am hoping that this was a one-time political stunt and not an 
indication of the attitude Democrats are going to take going forward, 
because we have a lot more work to do on this issue. Republicans remain 
focused on improving air travel and safety, and that hearing was just 
one part of our continued efforts.
  Earlier this year, Republicans took a major step forward in air 
traffic modernization with the One Big Beautiful Bill, which made a 
significant investment in technology improvements for the air traffic 
system. The systems being used in air traffic control towers today are 
in desperate need of an update. This funding will help to deploy state-
of-the-art technology to towers across America.
  One example of the need for modernization is what happened at the 
Newark airport--one of the busiest airports in the country--earlier 
this year. In April and May, Newark experienced equipment outages that 
led to major flight delays and significant disruptions in air travel. 
The Trump administration moved quickly to address these issues and 
bring Newark back to full strength, but the underlying issue is aging 
technology across the air traffic control system--issues that are only 
exacerbated when adverse conditions strike, such as severe weather or 
the recent government shutdown.
  The investment from the One Big Beautiful Bill will go a long way 
toward solving the underlying technology problems and will strengthen 
the entire system.
  Another challenge is the shortage of air traffic controllers. We are 
almost 4,000 controllers short of full strength, which means that 
controllers at a number of airports need to work longer hours and more 
shifts to keep the system going. Addressing the shortfall has been a 
priority for the Trump administration, which has devoted attention to 
hiring and training additional controllers.
  I appreciate that the administration managed to keep hiring and 
training operations going throughout the shutdown, which lessened the 
potential long-term consequences for America's skies.
  Republicans and Democrats here in Congress are focused, too, on 
supporting hiring and training efforts, and this year's transportation 
funding bill, which I hope to take up in the near future, supports 
sustained hiring and training to add 2,500 new controllers next year.
  Upgrading outdated technology and adding new air traffic controllers 
will make a big difference for the traveling public and for supply 
chains that rely on air cargo, and it will help deliver a more modern 
air traffic system, capable of providing more efficient and safer skies 
for all Americans.
  Things won't be fixed overnight, but thanks to the Trump 
administration and our continued efforts in Congress, we are making 
progress toward a state-of-the-art air traffic control system for 
America.
  I am glad that the system is back at full strength after the 
shutdown, and we are working to make it stronger every day.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic whip.

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