Davids Backs Effort to Keep Air Travel Safe, Employees Paid During Government Shutdowns
Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced her support for new legislation to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can keep operating — and paying employees — during a government shutdown. The bill would help protect passenger safety and keep goods moving, avoiding the kind of disruptions that forced the end of the 2018–19 shutdown, when unpaid air traffic controllers and safety inspectors called in sick and flight delays rippled across the country.
“Whether you’re traveling for work, visiting family, or waiting for a package to be delivered, Kansans depend on a safe, reliable aviation system,” said Davids. “We cannot afford political gridlock that puts that at risk. I’m working with both parties to get the government back open — but until then, this commonsense effort ensures air traffic controllers, inspectors, and other safety workers can keep doing their jobs — and get paid — no matter what happens in Washington.”
During a government shutdown, about 12,800 air traffic controllers, rail safety, and hazmat inspectors are required to work without pay, while other FAA employees face furloughs. Under current law, the FAA can only use its Airport and Airway Trust Fund to stay open for 30 days during a shutdown. This bill would let the FAA continue operating beyond that limit so air travel and safety operations are not interrupted and employees are paid.
The FAA’s number of fully certified air traffic controllers is well below recommended levels, forcing many to work overtime in high-pressure environments. Following the DCA plane collision and ongoing concerns, Davids has taken multiple steps to improve air safety:
- Confronting Workforce and Safety Gaps
- During a House T&I hearing, Davids highlighted how controller shortages and outdated technology endanger passengers.
- She condemned President Trump’s decision to fire hundreds of FAA employees and urged DOT Secretary Sean Duffy to implement staffing and safety reforms passed in the FAA Reauthorization Act.
- Calling Out Conflicts of Interest
- Davids called attention to a potential conflict after Elon Musk suggested the FAA cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon in favor of his company, Starlink.
- Responding to the Recent Collision
- After the incident, Davids again pushed Secretary Duffy to swiftly carry out aviation safety reforms included in the FAA Reauthorization.
- When the NTSB released its preliminary report, she called on the FAA to adopt its early recommendations to help prevent future tragedies.
- Modernizing Outdated Systems
- In a separate hearing, Davids pressed former FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, who served under former President Biden, on the slow pace of modernizing critical landing systems.
- She noted that 81 percent of Kansas’ systems are functionally obsolete and, at the current replacement rate, it would take over a century to update them — calling for urgent action to ensure Kansans’ safety.
- In a separate hearing, Davids pressed former FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, who served under former President Biden, on the slow pace of modernizing critical landing systems.
As Davids said last week, she is “pushing for a bipartisan solution to reopen the government and address other critical issues, including protecting health care premium tax credits before they expire.” All Kansans in the Third District affected by the shutdown can visit davids.house.gov/shutdown for helpful resources or to share their stories.