{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-air-safety", "Congressman Begich Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Air Safety", "2025-05-08", "2025", "2025-05", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Nicholas J. Begich III", "B001323", "begich.house.gov", "begich", "https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 May 8, 2025 \u2013 Today, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK), alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), introduced the Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to tackle the nation\u2019s air traffic controller staffing shortage and invest in the future of American aviation.\n\nThe legislation codifies and expands the FAA\u2019s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), improves recruitment and retention incentives, funds tower simulator systems, and supports mental health services for air traffic controllers which addresses one of the most serious safety risks currently facing U.S. airspace.\n\n\"Safe, reliable air travel is core to life in Alaska. Whether it\u2019s delivering food and supplies to remote villages or ensuring medevac services reach those in need, air traffic controllers are essential to our state,\" said Congressman Begich. \u201cThe Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 is a commonsense solution to a national challenge. It strengthens the safety of our skies by making forward-looking investments to ensure we train and support highly skilled professionals. By training the next generation of controllers now, we\u2019re building a safer, more connected future for every American.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur air traffic controllers are the best in the world, and they work hard to ensure a smooth and safe journey for all travelers. But controllers in Arizona and nationally have sounded the alarm for years about staffing shortages that have left them overworked and undersupported,\u201d said Congressman Stanton. \u201cThe bipartisan Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act is an overdue investment in the recruitment and retention of highly-qualified controllers\u2014their training, professional development and well-being.\u201d\n\n\u201cWorkforce limitations have led to a widening skills gap across all industries, including for our nation\u2019s air traffic controllers,\u201d said Congressman Mann. \u201cFailure to support a robust talent pipeline to protect our skies puts the future of aviation reliability and the passenger experience at risk. Our bill seeks to ensures that we can prepare and equip the next generation of capable, qualified air traffic controllers to protect the future safety of our skies and maintain the American gold standard of aviation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe put our faith in America\u2019s air traffic controllers to keep us safe and protect our nation\u2019s airways. I\u2019ve seen firsthand how our air traffic controllers work tirelessly to fulfill their truly difficult and absolutely critical mission. They cannot do their jobs without our support,\u201d said Congresswoman Goodlander. \u201cI\u2019m proud to help lead the Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025, commonsense legislation to help recruit and retain air traffic controllers, improve working conditions, and equip our aviation workforce with the equipment and facilities they need to keep our skies safe.\u201d\n\nThe FAA currently employs 2,300 fewer Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) than needed and continues to fall below its hiring and certification targets. The shortage has forced many controllers to work mandatory overtime, leading to fatigue and increasing the risk of errors. This bipartisan bill will help reverse that trend by expanding training pipelines, improving training equipment, and placing high-fidelity simulators across the country to accelerate training timelines.\n\nKey Provisions of the Bill:\n\nAuthorizes $20 million annually in grants for AT-CTI schools to invest in curriculum, simulators, and instructors.\n\nRemoves penalties that discourage retired air traffic controllers from becoming ATC instructors.\n\nExpands the use of Tower Simulator Systems (TSS) to help certify new air traffic controllers more efficiently.\n\nDirects the FAA to develop incentive programs for controller recruitment, certification, and retention.\n\nSupports mental health services tailored to the high-stress nature of ATC work.\n\nRequires curriculum modernization and FAA oversight of CTI training standards.\n\nThe bill is backed by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), Airlines for America (A4A), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and others in the aviation sector.\n\nThis bill is the House companion to Senate bill S. 697 and has earned the support of major stakeholders across the aviation industry.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-begich-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-air-safety"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2584889773279428, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}