June 30, 2025
Dear Senator,
As the Senate considers amendments to the reconciliation bill, the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) urges you to vote YES on two amendments related to Air Traffic Control Modernization.
The first is amendment #2586, offered by Senator Durbin, to insert the House of Representatives-passed Air Traffic Control Modernization provisions into the Senate budget reconciliation bill, replacing the existing provisions. There is no cost difference between the Senate-proposed and House-passed versions, but the House version better allocates the funds toward the universally recognized priorities of hiring, retention, and training of air traffic controllers, as well as tower construction that can benefit states across the country. It also fully funds flight safety programs in Alaska.
If that amendment does not pass, in the alternative, the second is amendment #2611, offered by Senator Cantwell, to strike the section that would consolidate at least three large air traffic control facilities into a newly constructed $1.9B facility without specific criteria reviewing the operations, costs, and workforce effects. Instead, the amendment would divert $1 billion of this funding to hire more air traffic controllers, while the remaining funding would provide upgrades and replacements for radar approach control facilities throughout the country.
TTD strongly supports both amendments. As the nation’s largest transportation labor federation, representing 38 unions and millions of workers who build, operate, and maintain our nation’s transportation networks, safety is our top priority. We appreciate your commitment to investing in America’s aviation system, funding the critical air traffic control infrastructure and workforce that supports it, and ensuring that it remains the gold standard for aviation safety.
Thank you for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to contact LianneE@ttd.org if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Greg Regan
President