Congresswoman Nikema Williams Urges U.S. Department of Transportation to Fully Implement FAA Reauthorization Amid Safety Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), along with other Representatives, wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, reminding him of the Department’s statutory requirements to review and revise aviation safety staffing plans. In light of recent aviation accidents and near-misses, it is more important than ever that the FAA is well-staffed and has the resources necessary to implement the law—especially provisions critical to commercial travel and the safety of the flying public.

The members said:

“It is concerning to see that under your supervision, the FAA is more focused on conducting indiscriminate and senseless layoffs of safety personnel than it is on making our country’s national airspace system (NAS) safer and more efficient. With recent air travel accidents around the nation, we urge you to shift your focus to improving safety-based outcomes in our NAS.

The tragedy that occurred near Washington National Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025 involving American Airlines Flight 5342 was a stark reminder that the 2024 FAA Reauthorization law’s full implementation is needed. Even more troubling has been the recent near-miss events at DCA and airports across the country.

It is imperative that you work with Congress to fulfill your statutory requirements, reverse the administration’s current course on misguided personnel actions, deliver on your obligation to and update aviation safety staffing models, and detail how the Department plans to implement those recommendations. We cannot compromise the safety of the flying public and the needs of our airports. We look forward to working with you and your expeditious response to our inquiry.”

Co-signers of the letter: Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Rep. Gabe Amo (RI-01), Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30), Rep. Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. (NJ-03), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Rep. Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05).

Read the full letter here.