{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases/fedorchak-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-air-safety", "Fedorchak cosponsors bipartisan legislation to strengthen air safety", "2025-05-16", "2025", "2025-05", "Republican", "House", "ND", "Julie Fedorchak", "F000482", "fedorchak.house.gov", "fedorchak", "https://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) cosponsored the Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation led by Representatives Nick Begich (R-AK) and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) 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.\n\n\u201cNorth Dakota is already helping lead the way in training the next generation of air traffic controllers\u2014thanks in large part to the nationally recognized program at the University of North Dakota. This bill strengthens that pipeline between classrooms and our control towers. More training will help students get hired faster, stay on the job longer, and keep our skies safe,\u201d Fedorchak said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to support this bipartisan effort for investments in modernizing the air traffic control workforce needed to support safe growth of American aviation.\u201d\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,\" Begich said. \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\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 Goodlander said. \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, championed by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), and has earned the support of major stakeholders across the aviation industry.", 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://fedorchak.house.gov/media/press-releases/fedorchak-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-air-safety"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9314960334450006, "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"}