WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $2,776,555 in federal funding to improve airport infrastructure at Richmond International, New River Valley, and Culpeper Regional Airports. The funding, allocated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be used to expand and improve existing infrastructure, construct new rescue and safety buildings, modernize taxiways and aprons to meet current standards, and increase revenue of three airports across the Commonwealth.  

“Investing in our airports is vital to ensuring that Virginians and travelers from all over can safely and easily get where they need to go,” said the senators. “We’re proud to announce millions in federal funding to help update, modernize, and improve these three airports and boost the local economies.”

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• $2,177,917 for Richmond International Airport to reconstruct the 15,000-square-foot aircraft rescue and firefighting building to improve safety measures at the airport.
• $474,406 for New River Valley Airport to realign existing paved taxiway to fit current standards, rehabilitate 40,000 square yards of existing main apron pavement to maintain structural integrity, and build a new 152,000-square-foot hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance to assist the airport in being self-sustaining by generating additional revenue.
• $124,232 for Culpeper Regional Airport to construct a new 1,600-square-foot snow removal equipment storage building to fit current standards, a new holding bay, and a new public-use aircraft wash rack to assist the airport in being self-sustaining by generating additional revenue.

Warner and Kaine are strong supporters of efforts to improve and modernize Virginia’s airports. Since 2021, Warner and Kaine have secured billions in federal funding for airport infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators helped pass. In August, the senators announced over $48 million for 18 airports across Virginia. In July, the senators also secured over $21 million in federal funding for 10 airports across the Commonwealth.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $48,329,251 in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at 18 airports across Virginia. This funding, allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Infrastructure Grants and the Airport Improvement Program, is made possible in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — historic legislation the senators helped pass.

“We’re proud to announce over $48 million in federal funding is coming to Virginia for construction projects at 18 airports,” said the senators. “These investments will help ensure that our airports are a safe, reliable engine of connectivity and economic growth for travelers and communities around the Commonwealth. We’re going to keep doing all that we can to bring additional infrastructure investments to Virginia, and to reauthorize the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that makes many of them possible.”

The funding is distributed as follows:

• $7,237,709 to install new lighting and shift the taxiway in accordance with current standards at Winchester Regional Airport;
• $6,802,743 to reconstruct taxiways at Washington Dulles International Airport;
• $5,225,950 to rehabilitate the runway at Virginia Highlands Airport;
• $4,930,500 to rehabilitate the runway at Leesburg Executive Airport;
• $4,706,743 to rehabilitate the General Aviation Apron pavement at Newport News-Williamsburg Airport;
• $4,335,800 to shift the taxiway in accordance with current standards at Blue Ridge Airport;
• $3,789,800 to construct a new hangar for aircraft storage, extend the runways, and update the taxiways at Twin County Airport;
• $3,100,001 to extend the runway at Richmond Executive/Chesterfield County Airport;
• $1,604,509 to reconstruct a terminal entrance access road at Norfolk International Airport;
• $1,461,000 to construct a new taxiway and install new lighting at Accomack County Airport;
• $1,281,865 to develop a hangar for aircraft storage and replace and rehabilitate runway and taxiway lighting at Mountain Empire Airport;
• $1,080,200 to expand an existing fuel farm at Hampton Roads Executive Airport;
• $821,331 to construct a new hangar for aircraft storage at Danville Regional Airport;
• $500,000 to improve the aircraft apron at Richmond International Airport;
• $444,000 to construct a new hangar for aircraft storage at Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport;
• $380,100 to construct a new hangar for aircraft storage at Tazewell County Airport;
• $361,000 to update the layout plan at Suffolk Executive Airport; and
• $266,000 to rehabilitate taxiways at Front Royal-Warren County Airport.

Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports and have secured millions in federal funding for airports across the Commonwealth through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last month, the senators announced over $21 million in federal funding for improvements at ten airports across Virginia. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $17 million in combined funding for additional improvements to Virginia’s airports. In October, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalization efforts, and in September, they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and nine of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford requesting answers on the impact of FAA workforce reductions on aviation safety, including among analytical staff who proactively identify safety risks. The senators also inquired about comments by FAA officials suggesting the agency is using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze safety data to identify risks.

“The tragic crash of American Airlines flight 5342 highlighted serious gaps in our aviation safety system and demonstrated the need for a robust and experienced analytical workforce at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unfortunately, over the past six months, your agency has significantly reduced its workforce. We are deeply concerned about these reductions’ impact on aviation safety,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the crash of American Airlines flight 5342 has demonstrated the need for a robust FAA workforce, beyond the air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel on the front lines of our aviation system. According to the NTSB investigation, more than 15,000 ‘close proximity events’ occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport over the last five years—reflecting a shockingly high trend that the FAA should have identified…It’s critical that this Administration ensures the FAA has the workforce capacity to proactively and properly analyze aviation safety data to prevent another crash like the American Airlines flight 5342 tragedy,” the senators continued.  

“In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA should be analyzing the near miss data from events at Reagan National Airport and reviewing the sufficiency of FAA staffing. Instead, the agency has moved ahead with workforce reductions. In particular, FAA fired hundreds of probationary employees in critical support roles key to assisting air traffic controllers in doing their jobs,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The lawmakers requested the following information by August 11, 2025:

1. For each FAA line of business and its relevant suboffices, please provide the (a) number of employees employed as of January 1, 2025, (b) number of employees employed as of July 1, 2025, and (c) the current number of job openings. 
2. For each FAA line of business and its relevant suboffices, please indicate whether any of its job positions are currently subject to a hiring freeze as of January 20, 2025.
3. Please provide the analysis conducted by the Office of Airports related to the impact of workforce cuts on its safety mission.
4. Besides the Office of Airports, please explain if any other FAA line of business has conducted an analysis of the impact of workforce cuts on its ability to deliver its mission. If so, please provide those analyses. 
5. Please explain all relevant FAA lines of business and relevant suboffices charged with identifying aviation safety trends and possible safety risks affecting airport operations in congested airspace. 
6. What specific AI tools is the FAA using to analyze aviation safety impacts and flight data and how is this improving FAA’s analysis? Does the FAA have adequate staff, familiar with these tools, to manage this analysis and ensure the security of the data used and generated by AI?

In addition to Warner, Kaine, and Markey, the letter was cosigned by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

Warner and Kaine have long championed aviation safety and spoken out against federal workforce reductions at the FAA and other agencies. Following the January 29, 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Warner and Kaine demanded answers from the FAA on additional safety measures to protect the public and expressed concerns about the impact of the “Department of Government Efficiency” in addressing issues that led to the mid-air collision. The senators also introduced legislation to strengthen aviation safety. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, successfully got a provision included in the committee-passed Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to require that all Department of Defense aircraft that operate near commercial airports be equipped with broadcast positioning technology. Earlier this year, Kaine invited Jason King, a veteran from Fairfax who was fired from his position in the FAA’s safety division, as his guest to the State of the Union address. King was rehired after the State of the Union. 

Full text of the letter is available here and below: 

Dear Administrator Bedford,

The tragic crash of American Airlines flight 5342 highlighted serious gaps in our aviation safety system and demonstrated the need for a robust and experienced analytical workforce at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unfortunately, over the past six months, your agency has significantly reduced its workforce. We are deeply concerned about these reductions’ impact on aviation safety. We therefore write to request information on changes in the FAA workforce and their impact on aviation safety, including any analyses that the FAA has conducted on the effects of workforce reductions on the agency’s safety mission. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the crash of American Airlines flight 5342 has demonstrated the need for a robust FAA workforce, beyond the air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel on the front lines of our aviation system. According to the NTSB investigation, more than 15,000 “close proximity events” occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport over the last five years — reflecting a shockingly high trend that the FAA should have identified. At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in March, the then-Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau acknowledged that the agency missed this warning sign, in part because of the sheer volume of data that FAA personnel must analyze. The Acting Administrator’s testimony illustrated the need for an FAA workforce robust and experienced enough to analyze all relevant data and identify safety risks. It’s critical that this Administration ensures the FAA has the workforce capacity to proactively and properly analyze aviation safety data to prevent another crash like the American Airlines flight 5342 tragedy.

Despite this clear need for enhanced analytical capacity, the FAA has instead moved to reduce its workforce during this critical period. In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA should be analyzing the near miss data from events at Reagan National Airport and reviewing the sufficiency of FAA staffing. Instead, the agency has moved ahead with workforce reductions. In particular, FAA fired hundreds of probationary employees in critical support roles key to assisting air traffic controllers in doing their jobs. With the Department of Transportation (DOT) pushing personnel to leave via two rounds of the Deferred Resignation Program — under which employees could elect to resign and receive pay until September 2025 — coupled with the federal hiring freeze, federal officials are leaving their jobs and it may be difficult for the FAA to attract new, qualified employees. Although the DOT assured Senators that key FAA safety staff were exempt from firings and the Deferred Resignation Program, the FAA has still not clarified whether it has the staff it needs to ensure the safety of the American public. Estimates from the DOT suggest that between 1,000 and 3,000 employees may leave the agency once the Deferred Resignation Program offers are finalized. According to an internal presentation to FAA management: “Employees are departing the agency in mass quantities across all skill levels.” Most recently, the Department of Transportation may now be able to move ahead with a large Reduction in Force after the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing federal agencies to move forward with staffing cuts consistent with existing federal law. This moment — after a tragic crash highlighted critical gaps in aviation safety — seems like precisely the wrong time for the FAA to aggressively shrink its workforce.

Moreover, the FAA’s recent announcement that it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze its data — without explaining whether such AI tools are reliable or effective — provides little reassurance to the public. While we support the use of technology to improve how aviation safety data is used, the decision to rely on technological fixes while simultaneously moving ahead with staffing reductions is deeply worrisome. The FAA has not been transparent with Congress about the types of technology it is now using, whether those technologies are replacing, augmenting, or otherwise impacting the FAA workforce, or whether it requires human review of AI analyses before using any analysis in a safety-related decision. This reliance on technological fixes — without a transparent analysis of the FAA’s workforce levels and capacity— raises questions about the FAA’s commitment to prioritizing safety.

If the FAA lacks the staff to identify safety risks before future incidents occur, Congress must be informed of this as soon as possible. At a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Senators questioned FAA officials from the Office of Airports, the Office of Aviation Safety, and the Air Traffic Organization about the personnel reductions at their respective offices and whether their offices had conducted any analysis on the impact of these workforce cuts on aviation safety. Only the head of the FAA Office of Airports — which is charged with planning and developing a safe and efficient national airport system — responded that his Office had conducted such an analysis. Senators urged the FAA to turn over that analysis to the Committee, along with data on any workforce reductions, but to date it has not. It is essential that Congress have sufficient information to understand the impact of recent FAA personnel changes on aviation safety.

To better understand the impact of FAA workforce reductions on aviation safety, please provide written responses to the following questions and requests for information by August 11, 2025:

1. For each FAA line of business and its relevant suboffices, please provide the (a) number of employees employed as of January 1, 2025, (b) number of employees employed as of July 1, 2025, and (c) the current number of job openings.
2. For each FAA line of business and its relevant suboffices, please indicate whether any of its job positions are currently subject to a hiring freeze as of January 20, 2025.
3. Please provide the analysis conducted by the Office of Airports related to the impact of workforce cuts on its safety mission.
4. Besides the Office of Airports, please explain if any other FAA line of business has conducted an analysis of the impact of workforce cuts on its ability to deliver its mission. If so, please provide those analyses.
5. Please explain all relevant FAA lines of business and relevant suboffices charged with identifying aviation safety trends and possible safety risks affecting airport operations in congested airspace.
6. What specific AI tools is the FAA using to analyze aviation safety impacts and flight data and how is this improving FAA’s analysis?
   1. Does the FAA have adequate staff, familiar with these tools, to manage this analysis and ensure the security of the data used and generated by AI?
   2. How were these AI tools selected? Please describe the specific testing or evaluation conducted in advance of the implementation of the tools and provide a copy of any reports or conclusions produced. If no testing or evaluation occurred, please explain why not.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to President Trump questioning his administration’s decision to remove National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chair Alvin Brown. The move is especially alarming given that NTSB plays a critical role in investigating transportation accidents like the deadly January 29^th collision that killed 67 people.

In their letter the senators highlighted the independent nature of NTSB and stressed the need to have qualified individuals serve on the board.

The senators wrote, “Congress designed the Board to represent a range of viewpoints by mandating that no more than three of the five members be of the same political party. Additionally, Congress removed the Board from the Department of Transportation and reestablished it as an independent establishment of the U.S. government to ensure the NTSB retains its independence and that NTSB staff are able to fulfill their mission of performing investigations into certain transportation accidents, including every civil aviation accident in the United States, by determining the probable cause of the accident and issuing safety recommendations.”

They continued, “The NTSB provides support to the victims, survivors, and families following a transportation accident – including facilitating the recovery and identification of fatally injured passengers. The NTSB has earned the trust of the transportation industry and millions of Americans through many grueling investigations; because of the NTSB, improved transportation safety has come out of calamity and tragedy.”

The senators also questioned the rationale behind President Trump’s decision to remove Vice Chair Brown without naming a replacement, leaving a vacancy in this crucial role that manages nearly 1250 investigations in the United States and supports more than 150 foreign investigations each year.

“Mr. Brown’s removal is consistent with your Administration’s dismissals of federal government leaders on the basis of bald partisanship and animus, however it is inconsistent with the law. The recklessness of vacating a leadership role on the NTSB in this critical moment in aviation safety runs counter to your obligations to the American people,” they wrote.

This is only the latest in the Trump administration’s reckless purge of qualified federal workers for political reasons. Earlier this week, Sen. Warner lead a group of colleagues objecting to Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard’s decision to unilaterally terminate the Acting Counsel of the Office of the Intelligence Community Inspector General, and he has repeatedly warned of the lasting damage of the Trump administration’s continued politicization of nonpartisan government positions and removal of employees.

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear President Trump:

On January 29, 2025, 67 souls were lost in the midair collision between an American Airlines flight inbound to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and a U.S. Army helicopter. The survivors of the loved ones lost and our unanimous commitment is to prevent a tragedy like this from happening ever again. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB or Board) is vital to ensuring that outcome which is why we were alarmed by the abrupt firing of Alvin Brown who recently served as the Vice Chair of the Board. We urge you to reevaluate your Administration’s actions related to Mr. Brown and reinstate his membership to the NTSB. 

The law directs the President to appoint, and the Senate to consent to, the five members of the Board, each serving a term of five years.   Congress designed the Board to represent a range of viewpoints by mandating that no more than three of the five members be of the same political party.  Additionally, Congress removed the Board from the Department of Transportation and reestablished it as an independent establishment of the U.S. government to ensure the NTSB retains its independence and that NTSB staff are able to fulfill their mission of performing investigations into certain transportation accidents, including every civil aviation accident in the United States, by determining the probable cause of the accident and issuing safety recommendations. 

The NTSB provides support to the victims, survivors, and families following a transportation accident – including facilitating the recovery and identification of fatally injured passengers. The NTSB has earned the trust of the transportation industry and millions of Americans through many grueling investigations; because of the NTSB, improved transportation safety has come out of calamity and tragedy. Upwards of “82 percent of NTSB recommendations have led to the implementation of safety improvements deemed acceptable by the Board.” 

On May 5, 2025, you fired the Vice Chair of the NTSB, Mr. Alvin Brown. Mr. Brown was appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate in December 2024 to a term expiring on December 31, 2026. When you fired Mr. Brown, you failed to identify a potential replacement, creating a vacancy on the Board as it manages nearly 1,250 investigations in the United States, and supports close to 160 foreign investigations.  You provided no justification or explanation for Mr. Brown’s abrupt removal even as the law requires that a Board member may only be removed for cause in the form of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance of office.   When your Administration removed Mr. Brown from his position on the National Transportation Safety Board, you made it clear that it was for reasons unrelated to those enumerated in law and even thanked him for his service.  Had Congress intended NTSB members in good standing to be removable by the President at will, it would have written the law accordingly. Mr. Brown’s removal is consistent with your Administration’s dismissals of federal government leaders on the basis of bald partisanship and animus, however it is inconsistent with the law. The recklessness of vacating a leadership role on the NTSB in this critical moment in aviation safety runs counter to your obligations to the American people.

The traveling public relies on the NTSB to be a strong watchdog for transportation safety. Too many advances in aviation safety have come on the heels of a tragedy; but since 1967, the NTSB has worked to ensure the lessons learned are integrated into the aviation industry. Your recent actions indicate that your priorities for aviation safety are focused more on partisan politics rather than the safety of the millions of Americans who use our skies. We hope you will prove us wrong and ask that, in the absence of a showing that your actions to remove Mr. Brown complied with the law, you immediately reinstate Mr. Brown to the NTSB to complete his term of service as Vice Chair and to affirm your commitment to upholding the independence of the NTSB and allow the Board to perform their Congressionally-mandated duties to keep America’s transportation systems safe.

Sincerely,

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), joined by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Department to reverse its decision canceling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) program, which included funding for two major projects in Richmond and Portsmouth, as well as tens of millions in funding for other communities across the Commonwealth.

BRIC was established by Congress through the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to support state and local governments in reducing risks posed by natural hazards and future disasters. The bipartisan infrastructure law, which Sens. Warner and Kaine supported and saw through final passage, included $1 billion in funding for BRIC projects over five years, including $133 million that has already been provided to applicants. 

Through the BRIC program, Virginia had been set to receive tens of millions in funding for critical projects, including $12 million to make improvements to the Richmond Water Treatment Facility and $24 million to enhance the Lake Meade Dam in Portsmouth. However, DHS recently notified applicants that it was terminating the BRIC program and canceling all applications for funding through the BRIC program – including projects that had already been awarded funding.

“We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia,” the lawmakers wrote to Sec. Noem.

They continued, “BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.

The lawmakers highlighted how the cancelation of this funding will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia, specifically underscoring that these projects are already underway.

Added the members, “The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.”

“The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia,” they concluded.

A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

We write regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision to end the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and cancel BRIC applications from Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 – 2023. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia.

BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.

The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.

The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia.

Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

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WASHINGTON –  Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, expressing deep concerns about the recent firings of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel and the troubling involvement of unaccountable entities, including SpaceX, in critical aviation safety decisions. The letter urges Duffy to prioritize the safety of America’s air travel system and to reverse recent cuts to essential FAA safety roles.

“We write to express our deep concerns with the recent firings of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel and the involvement of a cadre, unaccountable to the American people, in critical aviation safety decision making. The 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,” wrote the senators.

The letter raises alarms about a series of concerning aviation incidents over the past month, including multiple crashes and close calls that highlight the need for highly trained, impartial professionals at the FAA. The lawmakers stressed the need for a commitment to safety, calling out the dangers of prioritizing political agendas over the well-being of American air travelers.

“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,” wrote the senators.

In the letter, the senators also raised significant concerns regarding the role of SpaceX in the future of air traffic control, following public statements by Duffy that employees of Elon Musk’s company are involved in “deliver[ing] a new, world-class air traffic control system” and that his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is “plug[ged] in” to the country’s aviation system.

The lawmakers noted that the involvement of Musk’s employees in the FAA “is troubling given that SpaceX has been investigated and fined by the FAA for multiple incidences of safety violations, and is at this time actively under investigation by the FAA for additional safety violations.”

The letter calls for a series of detailed answers from Duffy regarding the role of SpaceX, the processes used to evaluate and select external contractors, and the impact of recent personnel terminations on the safety and effectiveness of FAA operations. The letter also demands a full public accounting of the decision-making process that led to these significant changes, with a commitment to ongoing transparency.

Text of the letter is available here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Gerald Connolly, Suhas Subramanyam (all D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today requested answers and commitments from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its plans to protect the flying public in the wake of the January 29 collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines airplane. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the precautionary safety measures put in place by the FAA, as well as the agency’s collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision. They also stressed the need to carefully review existing protocols to ensure that flight operations do not simply return to business as usual.

The lawmakers also expressed serious concern with potential interference with the FAA by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has caused mayhem across the government, from attempting to push out nonpartisan civil servants, to reportedly accessing the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, as well as systems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven,” wrote the lawmakers, citing an Elon Musk tweet. “We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make ‘rapid’ changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take.”

They continued, “We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge.”

Stressing the need to prioritize safety and to base any future measures on the knowledge of aviation experts, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

1. The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport. 
2. As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region?
3. On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?
1. If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA.
4. On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”.
1. Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?
2. What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?
3. What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?
4. Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?
5. Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?
6. Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?
7. In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions?
5. Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations?
6. Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region?
7. Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk?
8. Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week?

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Rocheleau: 

In the aftermath of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ Aviation (Bombardier) CRJ700 and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (“National Airport”), we write to request information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on plans to protect the public during the investigations and once the investigations are complete. As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision is carried out, the FAA should identify and implement immediate steps to improve safety for aviation industry personnel, the flying public, and the communities that surround National Airport. 

As we mourn the victims of this tragedy, we must work together to ensure that collisions like this one do not happen again in honor of the memory of those lost. We applaud the FAA’s decision to restrict helicopter traffic near National Airport until the NTSB preliminary report is released and to pause of the use of two of the smaller runways at the airport. Your collaboration thus far with the NTSB as it carries out an independent, fact-based, and thorough investigation into this incident is appreciated. While the NTSB works to complete their investigation, it is crucial that we thoroughly review and scrutinize the protocols that govern flight operations near the airspace over National Airport, and ensure that we are not simply restarting “normal” operations. This is of further importance in light of the FAA’s steps to ensure airspace safety after Congress’s decision last year to add additional traffic to this airspace.

While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven. On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk announced via X (formerly known as Twitter) that “With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system. Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, also on X, stated “Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.”

We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make “rapid” changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take. 

We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge.

Safety must not be compromised, and FAA’s actions must be based on knowledgeable and accountable experts. Given our shared goal of promoting safety along with our expressed concerns about how DOGE’s involvement could jeopardize that safety, we request your attention and response to the following questions:

1.  The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport.
2. As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region?
3. On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?
1. If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA.
4. On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”
1. Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?
2. What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?
3. What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?
4. Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?
5. Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?
6. Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?
7. In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions?
5. Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations?
6. Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region?
7. Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk?
8. Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week?

In addition to the above questions, we request that you provide us with a briefing on FAA’s implementation of critical aviation safety and air traffic controller tower staffing provisions in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act and on the implementation of Section of 502 of that Act.

We look forward to your swift response and to working together for the best interests of the public, the National Capital Region, and the United States of America.

WASHINGTON –  Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $12,352,167 in federal funding for improvements for airports throughout the Commonwealth. This funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that both senators helped pass.

“Virginia’s airports are crucial for advancing our economy and connecting us to the rest of the country and the world,” the senators said. “We’re glad this funding, which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help make needed upgrades and expansions possible for airports throughout the Commonwealth. We will continue working to bolster Virginia’s infrastructure and economic growth.”

The funding is broken down as follows:

• $341,477 for the Town of Leesburg to construct a new 20,000-square-yard apron at the north end of the airfield to increase aircraft parking capacity at the Leesburg Executive Airport.
• $430,000 for the Town of Leesburg to construct a new sponsor-owned federal contract tower and acquire and install eligible equipment. Warner and Kaine, alongside then-Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10), strongly backed Leesburg in its negotiations with the FAA over costs to operate a remote tower until this new brick-and-mortar tower is completed.
• $9,662,240 for the Norfolk Airport Authority to acquire and install three new passenger boarding bridges to accommodate more aircraft operations, expand Terminal Concourse A by 25,000 square feet and three gates, reconstruct 50,000 square feet of existing Terminal Concourse A, create new restrooms, and other upgrades.
• $1,055,800 for the Virginia Highlands Airport Commission to construct a new 12,915 square foot and a new 3,600 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage, which will boost revenue and improve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency.
• $862,650 for the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission to construct a new 12,500 square yard apron to accommodate more aircraft operations, construct two new 12,000 square foot sponsor-owned hangars for aircraft, which will boost revenue and improve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency, and expand an existing commercial apron by an additional 1,800 square yards to accommodate more passengers and more aircraft operations.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports. Sens. Warner and Kaine have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding to revitalize Virginia airports. In September 2024, they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Dulles. 

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WASHINGTON –  Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $380,000,000 in federal funding for the Port of Virginia to accelerate its plan to become carbon-neutral by 2040. Warner, Kaine, and Scott advocated for this funding and sent a letter of support for this grant. The funding was awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act that the members helped pass. 

“The Port of Virginia is one of the largest and busiest ports on the eastern seaboard, and it’s critical to Virginia’s economy and offshore wind industry. As the Port of Virginia continues to grow thanks to investments we’re making, we must also ensure we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which result in negative health and environmental impacts for our communities,” said the lawmakers. “That’s why we’re thrilled that this federal funding, which was made possible by theInflation Reduction Act we supported, will accelerate the Port’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and further cement Virginia’s place as a leader in clean energy.”  

The Inflation Reduction Act made historic investments to support clean energy projects. It included clean energy tax credits that have incentivized a series of corporate investments in Virginia, including:

• A $681 million investment by LS GreenLink to build a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture high-voltage subsea cables used for offshore wind farms inChesapeake, which will create over 330 jobs in Virginia.
• An investment of over $400 million by Topsoe to build a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, which will create at least 150 new jobs in Virginia.
• An investment of $208 million by Mack and Volvo Trucks—in addition to a federal grant award of over $208 million for the company—to sustain 7,900 union jobs and create 295 new jobs in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Volvo Trucks is the second largest employer in the New River Valley, sustaining 3,600 jobs in Dublin, including 3,200 United Automobile Workers (UAW) jobs. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine visited Volvo’s New River Valley plant to celebrate the investment.

Today’s announcement builds on other transformational investments made to the Port of Virginia by the Biden-Harris administration with the backing of Warner, Kaine, and Scott. That includes $225.4 million to fully fund the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project, which will improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor’s shipping channels, allowing for two-way traffic in and out of the harbor. Of this amount, $141.7 million was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $83.7 million was provided through the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill.

The Port also previously received $20 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation for improvements to Portsmouth Marine Terminal that will allow it to serve as a staging area to support the manufacturing and movement of offshore wind goods to support the 2.6 gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project and other commercial offshore wind projects up-and-down the East Coast. Warner, Kaine, and Scott led a Virginia Congressional Delegation letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the Port’s application for that funding.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced a huge step towards the deployment of $1,481,489,527.87 in federal funding to expand access to high-speed internet in Virginia. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Volume 2 of Virginia’s Initial Proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, an important step that demonstrates Virginia has a strong plan to expand broadband and is on track to receive its funding allocation. 

“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to accessing our historic $1.5 billion award and expanding high-speed internet access to more families and businesses across Virginia,” said Sen. Warner. “Virginia has a strong plan to get us closer to universal coverage, and this funding will help make that plan a reality. I’m proud to have authored and negotiated the law that made this possible, and I’m ready to work to make sure it’s implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible so more Virginians have access to high-speed internet.”

“Broadband is a necessity for Virginians to access telehealth, online education programs, job opportunities, and so much more. Boosting access to broadband is key to building on our economic progress, which is why I’m happy that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved the next step in Virginia’s BEAD program plan,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m glad to have helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made this investment possible.”

Following the approval, Virginia has one year to submit a final proposal that will detail how the Commonwealth will ensure service to all unserved locations. Once the final proposal is approved, funds will be deployed and implementation can begin.

In June 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced the $1.5 billion allocation, which was made possible by the BEAD Program in the bipartisan infrastructure law – landmark legislation authored and negotiated by Sen. Warner and Sen. Kaine. The BEAD Program seeks to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. Specifically, the funding will be utilized by the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to get Virginians high-speed internet, defined as 100 Megabits/second (Mbps) for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. VATI will first prioritize 134,000 unserved locations (those lacking internet service speeds of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads) and then 28,000 underserved locations (those lacking 100 Mbps/20 Mbps upload/download speeds).

Also through the bipartisan infrastructure law, Sens. Warner and Kaine secured $65 billion in funding to help deploy broadband and decrease costs associated with connecting to the internet. As part of that funding, Virginia received $5 million to help make a strategic plan to deploy coverage. 

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand access to broadband in Virginia, including by advocating for the accurate reporting of Virginia’s connectivity status. In 2022, Sen. Warner called on Virginians to contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding internet coverage in their communities. Following the FCC’s reporting deadline, Sen. Warner called attention to a significant number of locations in Virginia that were incorrectly reported on the FCC broadband coverage map.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg raising concerns about the near collision of two planes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on May 29 and the airport’s capacity for more flights. They asked Secretary Buttigieg about how DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plan to implement a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Warner and Kaine strongly opposed, that adds ten additional flights in and out of DCA and ensure there are no additional risks to passengers, airport personnel, and facilities.

“These recent near misses underscore the critical importance of ensuring the highest safety standards at our nation's airports, particularly for an airport as busy and nationally significant as DCA,” wrote the senators. “Recent near-miss incidents raise serious questions about the current capacity of DCA to handle additional flights without compromising safety of air traffic control operations.”

“We urge you to implement these changes at DCA with the utmost caution and concern for public safety, and without adding undue and unsustainable stress to its already overburdened infrastructure and personnel. At minimum, we owe this enhanced level of scrutiny to the passengers, airline staff, and airport workers who utilize this airport every day and rely on federal government regulations to keep them safe,” they continued.

The senators asked DOT to “… please provide information on any actions that the Department is taking in light of these two near misses, including the rationale behind those actions and any potential future actions under consideration. We also request that the Department share its plans for minimizing added risk to DCA’s facilities and personnel as these additional flights are forced in to the daily schedule.”

For months, Warner and Kaine sounded the alarm about adding more flights at DCA as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act. They filed an amendment to remove the ten additional flights in and out of DCA from the bill. Prior to the Senate vote, Kaine spoke on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to strike the additional flights. Warner and Kaine ultimately voted against the bill because of this dangerous provision.

Full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

We write to express our serious concern following the alarming near miss between two aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on May 29, 2024. We understand the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to investigate this incident, which follows another near miss that occurred on April 18, 2024. These recent near misses underscore the critical importance of ensuring the highest safety standards at our nation's airports, particularly for an airport as busy and nationally significant as DCA.

As you are aware, DCA operates under unique landside size constraints and, with flights taking off and landing at the airport nearly every minute of every day, the airport’s slot and perimeter rules are in place to manage the high volume of air traffic and ensure the safety and efficiency of operations. DCA, originally designed to accommodate 15 million passengers, now serves over 25 million annually. This situation that has led to significant stress on the airport’s facilities and infrastructure.

Despite the public objections of the regional Congressional delegations, a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 tacks on ten additional flights in and out of DCA that are exempt from perimeter rules. It is now up to the Department and FAA to implement these changes within 60 days of enactment of this legislation. However, recent near-miss incidents raise serious questions about the current capacity of DCA to handle additional flights without compromising safety of air traffic control operations.

Ensuring that the National Airspace System is the safest and most reliable in the world must always be our top shared priority as senators and as Secretary. Therefore, we urge you to implement these changes at DCA with the utmost caution and concern for public safety, and without adding undue and unsustainable stress to its already overburdened infrastructure and personnel. At minimum, we owe this enhanced level of scrutiny to the passengers, airline staff, and airport workers who utilize this airport every day and rely on federal government regulations to keep them safe.

We ask that you please provide information on any actions that the Department is taking in light of these two near misses, including the rationale behind those actions and any potential future actions under consideration. We also request that the Department share its plans for minimizing added risk to DCA’s facilities and personnel as these additional flights are forced in to the daily schedule. That information should include discussions with DCA, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, affected carriers, and communications with other stakeholders responsive to this request.

We look forward to your prompt response and to working together to ensure that DCA remains a safe and efficient hub for air travel.

Sincerely,

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