House Aviation Safety Caucus Chairman Nick Langworthy exposes how the Biden administration diverted crucial air traffic control funding to social engineering projects, potentially jeopardizing passenger safety.
Key Insights
- Rep. Nick Langworthy accuses the Biden administration of prioritizing diversity initiatives over critical air traffic control (ATC) modernization
- The bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated $25 billion to the FAA, but lawmakers argue funds were misdirected away from essential safety improvements
- Republicans have proposed a new $12 billion budget allocation specifically for ATC modernization to address the safety gap
- Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers remain a serious concern despite the critical nature of these positions
- The U.S. had maintained an impressive safety record with no major commercial crashes from 2009 until recent incidents that Langworthy claims were preventable
Social Engineering Prioritized Over Safety
The previous Biden administration faces mounting criticism from Republican lawmakers who claim critical aviation safety was sacrificed at the altar of diversity initiatives. House Aviation Safety Caucus Chairman Nick Langworthy has emerged as a vocal critic, asserting that funds from the bipartisan infrastructure package were improperly diverted to social programs rather than essential modernization of air traffic control systems. This misallocation of resources occurred despite ongoing staffing shortages and aging infrastructure that air traffic controllers rely on daily to keep American skies safe.
“That was before I came to Congress, but, you know, you had just mistaken priorities in that, all this DEI policy, DEI staffing, that all got baked into the cake. They could have taken that money and spent it on real modernization of what is critical infrastructure in this country,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated $25 billion over five years to the Federal Aviation Administration for modernization efforts. However, lawmakers argue this investment was insufficient and poorly managed, with funds being channeled toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives instead of upgrading outdated air traffic control equipment and addressing severe staffing shortages that have plagued the system for years.
Preventable Incidents Raise Alarm
Langworthy points to recent concerning incidents as evidence of the consequences of these misplaced priorities. He highlighted the remarkable safety record the U.S. had maintained since 2009 with no major commercial crashes, but expressed concern that this streak has been jeopardized by preventable incidents. The blackout at Newark airport and other air traffic control issues have raised serious questions about whether proper investments were made in critical infrastructure maintenance and modernization.
“We had the longest period of incident-free aviation in this country’s history, where we didn’t have a commercial air crash from the time the crash happened in Buffalo, in my district, back in 2009, to just this year, and what happened at [Ronald Reagan Airport]. And it was avoidable,” Langworthy said.
While Langworthy clarified that DEI policies did not directly impact air traffic control operations, he emphasized that the allocation of limited resources to social engineering initiatives came at the expense of necessary safety improvements. The congressman’s concerns reflect broader Republican criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to infrastructure spending, which they argue too often prioritized progressive social policies over core safety and security needs.
Biden admin prioritized 'social engineering' over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says https://t.co/7FruTeUELH
— ConservativeLibrarian (@ConserLibrarian) May 7, 2025
Republicans Propose Solution
Looking forward, Republicans have announced plans to allocate $12 billion specifically for air traffic control modernization in upcoming budget proposals. This targeted funding aims to address the critical infrastructure needs that have been neglected. Langworthy has also pledged to work closely with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a Trump administration appointee, to ensure these funds are properly directed toward maintaining and enhancing the safety of U.S. air travel systems.
Beyond infrastructure investments, Langworthy emphasized the urgent need to address staffing shortages in air traffic control facilities nationwide. “We need more bodies,” he stated plainly, highlighting the importance of recruiting the next generation of air traffic controllers. He advocated for promoting these careers to young Americans, noting that despite the stress and demanding hours, these positions offer competitive salaries and meaningful public service opportunities.
“We should be promoting this to young people that want to look at career service in the government. And it comes with a very competitive salary. But it’s a tough job with a lot of hours. And you know, there’s always gonna be stress involved, but we have to prioritize it and not just take it for granted,” said Langworthy.
As President Trump’s administration addresses the issues inherited from the previous administration, aviation safety advocates are hopeful that proper prioritization of infrastructure modernization and staffing will restore confidence in America’s air traffic control system. Langworthy’s commitment to securing necessary resources for these critical systems reflects a renewed focus on public safety over political agendas in America’s transportation policy.
Sources:
- Biden admin prioritized ‘social engineering’ over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says
- Biden admin prioritized ‘social engineering’ over air traffic safety, key aviation Republican says
