During the House Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) spoke to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about FAA cuts.
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00:00Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to be here today as we begin to assess the budget requests for fiscal year 2026.
00:08I, too, want to welcome Secretary Duffy to his first official hearing before the subcommittee. Welcome.
00:17Today, we will examine the Department of Transportation's budget, which I expect will cover current year operations
00:24and the proposed use of funds included in the so-called skinny budget for 2026.
00:32DOT's primary mission is to invest in solutions that improve transportation safety.
00:36This includes safer transportation in our skies, on our rails, in our ports, and over and under our bridges, among other modes of transportation.
00:49It is hard to ignore the disturbing incursions and devastating crashes that have disrupted the lives and livelihoods of too many at our airports just this year,
01:01following the tragic Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore last year.
01:07The bipartisan infrastructure law makes a significant five-year investment in our nation's transportation systems,
01:13whether it is helping to build new runways, repair deficient bridges, or improve our ports.
01:21These historic investments are intended to enhance safety, employ American businesses, put more people to work, and create new public-private partnerships.
01:33This law, combined with targeted investments through the annual T-HUD bill,
01:38was supposed to serve as a catalyst for our economy and quality of life.
01:44However, I am deeply concerned that this administration's deliberate withholding of more than $40 billion provided by laws
01:51approved by this subcommittee and reductions to DOT's workforce
01:56halt any meaningful progress in transportation safety.
02:00Instead, we see thousands of qualified federal workers and contractors, including air traffic controllers made up of women, people of color, and veterans pushed out of highly skilled jobs.
02:16While I strongly support the need for robust investments in aviation safety,
02:21we have yet to see the full potential of existing resources being used to address our most immediate threats
02:28to abroad by aging technology and staffing shortfalls at the FAA.
02:36Last week's air traffic control modernization plan released by the administration is a great start,
02:44but it ignores the realities of cuts to FAA staff, fair competition, and overall costs,
02:54and most importantly, how we pay for it.
02:58Americans are afraid of flying, controllers are walking off their jobs, and aviation businesses are hurting.
03:05This plan seems to ignore the realities of the FAA losing more than 2,000 employees this year
03:14and assumes project timelines not yet defined by costs, access to materials, or feasibility.
03:23But we need to know that it is backed by action and by an administration that will deploy
03:30Congressional-directed funding for America's transportation in an expeditious manner, consistent with Congressional intent.
03:40Now, Mr. Secretary, I would be derelict in my duties to my constituents and children
03:45were I not to address the significant issue you raised in your submitted statement.
03:50During World War II, the DEI program that created the Tuskegee Airmen, who, because of existing laws,
04:02were all black, was not a waste of money.
04:06They made the skies safer for those all-white fighter pilots.
04:11They escorted, and we won that war.
04:13The DEI program that created the women of the 6888, who, because of existing laws, were all black,
04:22was not a waste of money.
04:25And they made the war experiences more palatable for those all-white fighting units
04:31that they efficiently and effectively supported during World War II.
04:36Both these groups were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by this body for their service to this country.
04:46Mr. Chairman, in two weeks, I will be hosting several of our colleagues during Memorial Day weekend
04:53down in Charleston, South Carolina, where that sacred holiday was first celebrated
05:00by the all-black 54th and 55th Massachusetts Regiment, who were commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
05:15and Colonel Charles Fox, both of whom were white because of existing law.
05:23Mr. Secretary, I believe this subcommittee can work in a bipartisan fashion
05:30to deliver safer transportation networks for the American people,
05:35and I look forward to hearing from you about how we can best serve America's resources
05:40and talents to build a safer and more secure country.
05:47And I'll give back.