Senate Commerce Announces Nomination Hearing for Bryan Bedford to Lead the FAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nomination hearing for Bryan Bedford, nominee to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Sen. Cruz: Bold Thinking Needed to Set FAA Up for Long-Term Success
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “FAA Reauthorization One Year Later: Aviation Safety, Air Traffic, and Next Generation Technology,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) emphasized the urgent need to modernize the national airspace system following recent aviation tragedies. Nearly a year after the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was signed into law, Sen. Cruz explained that the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) ongoing struggles to use better technology and hire sufficient air traffic controllers were symptoms of its current bureaucratic setup.
FAA Reauthorization One Year Later: Aviation Safety, Air Traffic, and Next Generation Technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “FAA Reauthorization One Year Later: Aviation Safety, Air Traffic, and Next Generation Technology” on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST. This hearing will examine both the progress achieved and any delays encountered in implementing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024.
ICYMI: Texas Chosen for Groundbreaking Aviation Center After Cruz Push
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today applauded Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s announcement that the Texas A&M System will lead a new Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT) with laboratory and testing locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and across the Lone Star State.
Senators Press Boeing CEO on Company’s Safety, Quality Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At yesterday’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing, “Safety First: Restoring Boeing’s Status as a Great American Manufacturer,” Senate Republicans questioned Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on implementation of the company’s safety and quality plan, and asked about what detailed steps the company has taken to infuse manufacturing processes with a safety-first culture.
Sen. Cruz: Boeing Must Prove to the Public It’s Working to Restore Safety, Quality in Production Processes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s full committee hearing titled “Safety First: Restoring Boeing’s Status as a Great American Manufacturer,” Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed the manufacturing challenges that have plagued Boeing in recent years, highlighting the importance of hearing from CEO Kelly Ortberg directly about the concrete actions Boeing has taken to fix these production problems that led to unacceptable safety events.
Commerce Committee Leaders: Army’s Refusal To Turn Over ADS-B Memo ‘Completely Unacceptable’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding the Army’s continued refusal to comply with the Committee’s investigation into the tragic Jan. 29 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport:
Senate Republicans Raise Concerns Over Aviation Safety Breakdowns That Led to Fatal Mid-Air Collision at DCA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At this week’s Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation hearing, titled “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision,” Senate Republicans pressed officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on breakdowns in the aviation safety systems that potentially contributed to the deadly mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025 near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Senators emphasized concerns about the Army’s practice of frequently turning off ADS-B Out transmission and called for the FAA to modernize its air traffic control system.
Sen. Cruz: After DCA Crash Factors Show Action Necessary to Make Aviation System Safer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation hearing titled “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision,” Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter. Sen. Cruz highlighted his commitment to using the power of the Committee to thoroughly investigate the factors leading to this accident and make any necessary policy changes. Sen. Cruz also reiterated the need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to urgently modernize its air traffic control system and previewed that the Committee has begun the process of crafting legislation to provide resources to make lasting improvements to the U.S. aviation system.
Sens. Cruz, Moran Request Ideas From Colleagues, Stakeholders on Modernizing Air Traffic Control System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are seeking input from their colleagues in the Senate and across the aviation industry as the Committee looks to assist Trump administration efforts to modernize America’s air traffic control system and make air travel efficient, reliable, and safe for all users. As part of their request for policy priorities and proposals, Sens. Cruz and Moran are seeking input and recommendations regarding air traffic control infrastructure, technology, and workforce as well as proposals to improve the management of the nation’s airspace.