Ahead of Senate Hearing, Transportation Watchdog Calls for FAA Funding Fix

CTP argues lawmakers should ensure America’s skies don’t fall prey to future congressional games of chicken.

Arlington, VA (November 18, 2025) — On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation will hold a hearing examining how the recent government shutdown took a toll on the country’s skies. Notably, air traffic controllers were forced to work without pay, which led to staffing problems and mass flight disruptions. 

Ahead of the review, the Center for Transportation Policy (CTP) is urging Congress to take action so a similar situation can be avoided in the future. More specifically, lawmakers should pass legislation that guarantees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) access to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during future budget standoffs. That way, air traffic controllers can continue to collect paychecks, towers stay staffed, and America’s aviation system remains functional when Washington comes to a standstill.

“The recent government shutdown exposed just how fragile our nation’s air traffic control system has become,” said Jackson Shedelbower, executive director of CTP. “By giving the FAA automatic access to its own trust fund when the lights go dark on Capitol Hill, lawmakers can ensure America’s skies don’t fall prey to future congressional games of chicken.”

Read an op-ed published last week in the Washington Examiner on the topic here. 

BACKGROUND:

The Airport and Airway Trust Fund is the primary federal funding source for the FAA’s daily operations and infrastructure projects. It’s financed through aviation-related excise taxes, including fees on passenger tickets, cargo shipments, and fuel purchases. But during a government shutdown, access to this pool of money is denied. 

During the recent 43-day federal funding lapse, the FAA was forced to cancel up to one-in-ten commercial flights, resulting in delays for more than five million Americans. At the same time, FAA data indicates that 15 to 20 air traffic controllers were leaving the profession each day while working without pay—fueling congestion at major travel hubs.