Chairman Cruz and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Moran Announce Hearing on DCA Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, will convene a subcommittee hearing titled “NTSB Preliminary Report: DCA Midair Collision” on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:00 am EST. This hearing will examine preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the deadly crash involving American Airlines 5342 and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Chairman Cruz Stresses Need to Modernize America’s Aviation Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, delivered remarks at today’s Aero Club of Washington event stressing the need for Congress to review the outdated state of the U.S. air traffic control system highlighting inefficiencies, staffing shortages, and technological and structural deficiencies compared to other countries. During his speech, Sen. Cruz called on stakeholders—airlines, pilots, air traffic controllers, airports, general and business aviation, new entrants, technology providers, and lawmakers—to actively participate in modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system and preventing future aviation accidents.
Chairman Cruz and Senator Moran Announce Intent to Host Bipartisan Senate Commerce Committee Briefing with Key Federal Officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation, today issued the following joint statement after receiving a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
Sens. Cruz, Moran Issue Statement Following Release of NTSB Preliminary Report on Recent Alaska Airlines Accident
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today issued the following joint statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of last month’s Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug accident. Sens. Cruz and Moran […]
Sen. Cruz: FAA’s Primary Responsibility Is Ensuring the Safety of Our National Aerospace System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s full Senate Commerce Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Mike Whitaker to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed the importance of having a deeply qualified and experienced leader at the FAA and outlined the serious challenges that […]
With Sec. Buttigieg Telling Airlines to Cut East Coast Flights, Sen. Cruz Wants Answers on Air Traffic Controller Shortages
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recently sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting information related to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) long-running inability to address congestion and air traffic controller shortages in the New York region. Earlier this month, Sec. Buttigieg called on air […]
Sen. Cruz: 737 Max Crashes Are Stark Reminder of Why an FAA Leader Must Have Deep Technical Expertise
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In his opening statement at today’s full committee hearing titled the “Implementation and Oversight of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act,” Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed the FAA’s reforms in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies and highlighted the importance of confirming an FAA administrator who has the knowledge […]
Sen. Cruz: Phil Washington Doesn’t Qualify Because He Has Woefully Inadequate Aviation Safety Experience
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s full committee to consider President Biden’s nominee for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, Phil Washington, Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) detailed his concerns over Washington’s thin aviation safety record, legal entanglements, and ineligibility to serve as FAA administrator without a congressional waiver. Ranking Member Cruz’s […]
Sen. Cruz: The Flying Public Is Stuck with a Self-regulating and Flailing Agency Stuck in the 20th Century
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s full committee hearing on “the Federal Aviation Administration’s NOTAM System Failure and its Impacts on a Resilient National Airspace,” Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) criticized U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s failure to deliver any meaningful reforms to the FAA and discussed the need for upgrades to the […]
Sen. Cruz: Regulatory Overreach by the DOT Would Make Air Travel Costlier, Limit Routes
WASHINGTON, D.C. –In his opening statement at today’s full committee hearing titled, “Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protection,” Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Biden administration efforts to micromanage airline fares and routes would result in higher overall fares, fewer routes, and leave consumers worse off. Sen. Cruz’s full remarks are included below. (WATCH: Sen. […]