Senators press DOT nominee on FAA systems, ADS‑B military exemptions and workforce changes
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Summary
Lawmakers pressed nominee Stephen Bradbury about FAA modernization, the military practice of turning off ADS‑B Out, air-traffic controller hiring, and recent fast-moving workforce change efforts that senators said risked safety-critical capabilities.
Senators at the Commerce Committee hearing asked Stephen Bradbury detailed questions about the Federal Aviation Administration's technical systems, military use of ADS‑B Out, hiring of air-traffic controllers and rapid workforce changes at DOT and FAA.
Ranking Member Senator Maria Cantwell raised a 2023 letter reporting that military units "routinely turned off ADS‑B Out," and told the nominee that the practice was "completely indefensible" in the wake of a fatal accident near Reagan National Airport. Cantwell also told the committee she expects the administration or Congress to act to change that practice.
Bradbury said he "thinks the secretary will want to work with the secretary of defense with regard to military aircraft in civilian airspace in the U.S. to ensure that systems that are needed for safety are used as appropriate," and that coordination between Defense and DOT is required.
Several senators, including Chairman Crews and others, emphasized the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024's hiring requirements. Bradbury told the committee the secretary has indicated safety‑critical positions, including air-traffic controllers, would be exempt from reductions and said there needs to be "a faster pipeline, larger capacity" for controllers.
Members also raised the recent administration review and rapid personnel changes sometimes referred to in the hearing as "Doge" or short turnaround workforce actions. Senator Edward Markey and others expressed concern these changes were happening without a sufficiently granular, safety‑focused analysis. Bradbury said new analytical tools and audits can be used to identify inefficiencies, but he acknowledged that staffing adjustments should be managed carefully to avoid harming safety-critical capabilities.
Why it matters: FAA systems, the status of ADS‑B Out on military flights in civilian airspace, and the availability of trained controllers are central to aviation safety. Senators on both sides signaled they expect clear commitments that safety-critical functions will be preserved.
What was not decided: The hearing contained no formal actions; senators requested additional written responses. Bradbury noted he was not at DOT in 2023 and could not be responsible for subsequent defense or DOT decisions, but said he would help coordinate interagency work if confirmed.