Exclusive: The House is sternly looking at the state and what is needed to modernize the US air traffic control system.
Rep. Troy Nehls of R-Texas, chairman of the House Transport and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, told Fox News Digital that he will lead a bipartisan closure conversation series on the issue.
“We will begin to hold round tables with stakeholders to implement this plan,” Nehls said in an interview.
The blackout at Newar Liberty International Airport reportedly caused a 90-second outage on the air traffic control screen.
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United Airlines will cancel routes and staffing shortages in Newark, New Jersey on May 6, 2025 as travelers within Newark Airport face major delays for eight consecutive days (Kyle Mazza/Anadoll via Getty Images)
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said the operator of the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, which coordinates planes arriving at busy New York City area airports, “temporarily loses communication between the radar and the aircraft and is unable to listen, listen or speak.”
NEHLS said the main focus of the Roundtable is to develop a plan on how to spend the $12.5 billion Home Transport Infrastructure Infrastructure Committee approved for Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization.
The funds were marked by the ATC as part of a budget settlement process that has passed a massive bill that will advance Republicans’ priorities for the Trump administration.
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Rep. Troy Nairs is Chairman of the Airlines Subcommittee (Nathan Posner).
“We have $12.5 billion. How do we spend it? Who will use it? What should we spend it on, what should we prioritize?
“We bring in these individuals who know a lot about a lot of this technology, and they are the first group that comes to talk about what they do about fiber optics.”
He had mentioned reports that the blackout was caused by fried copper wire pieces. He said this is an example of an outdated system on which the ATC runs.
Nehls has pledged to work closely with Transport Secretary Sean Duffy. (Getty Images)
The panel’s first meeting, which includes two Republicans and two Democrats, is set for early June, he said.
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“We’re going to meet new stakeholders to provide guidance, and I’m going to hear a lot. I’m not going to talk about a lot,” Naires said. “So you can make very careful and informed decisions about how you will spend your money with taxpayer money to modernize the system, so I think that’s a step in the right direction.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for comment.
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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