Why It Matters

The December 3 organizational hearing formalized leadership changes with direct consequences for America’s aviation infrastructure. At stake: modernizing an aging air traffic control system, addressing severe controller staffing shortages, and implementing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The newly confirmed Aviation Subcommittee leadership—Chairman Troy Nehls and Ranking Member Steve Cohen—immediately launched a bipartisan working group on air traffic control modernization.

Airlines and Airports: The subcommittee controls oversight of safety protocols, infrastructure investments, and operational efficiency standards affecting every commercial flight.

Federal Workforce: The composition directly influences labor protections for FAA technical employees, with Professional Aviation Safety Specialists lobbying heavily on bargaining rights.

Taxpayers and Passengers: The subcommittee shapes how billions in modernization funding gets allocated. FY 2026 FAA budget proposals exceed $23 billion, with modernization costs estimated at $30 billion-plus.

Broader Context

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s organizational markup comes amid urgent aviation crises. The nation faces a severe air traffic controller shortage, with federal shutdowns causing the FAA to reduce flights by 10% in 40 major markets. The FAA’s controller workforce has declined significantly since 2012.

Safety concerns have intensified following three major commercial crashes in early 2025, including an Air India incident killing 241 passengers. The FAA has recorded rising runway safety incidents at major hubs.

The FAA is pursuing ambitious modernization centered on the Common Automation Platform, replacing legacy air traffic control systems. The House approved initial $12.5 billion in funding for the estimated $30 billion effort.

The Agenda

The procedural markup approved updated subcommittee rosters and confirmed revised Aviation Subcommittee leadership following membership changes in the 119th Congress.

Key members formalized include:

Additional members include Republicans Dusty Johnson and Scott Perry, alongside Democrats Mark DeSaulnier, Sharice Davids, Valerie P. Foushee, and Christopher R. Deluzio.

Between The Lines

Nehls has signaled priorities examining air traffic control infrastructure and staffing shortages. His partnership with Cohen suggests bipartisan momentum on modernizing aging aviation infrastructure.

Relevant legislation includes implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and appropriations bills affecting the FAA budget, including H.R. 9028 and H.R. 4552.

Competitive Landscape

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union is actively lobbying on aviation issues directly affected by the subcommittee’s work.

PASS’s 2025 lobbying focuses on infrastructure modernization through H.Con.Res. 14, federal appropriations including FY 2025-2026 bills, and labor protections through legislation like the PRO Act.

The Bottom Line

The committee finalized subcommittee rosters and confirmed new Aviation Subcommittee leadership on December 3. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX-22) was installed as Chair, with Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) as Ranking Member.

The organizational changes position the subcommittee to address pressing aviation infrastructure challenges. Nehls launched hearings on air traffic control staffing and initiated a bipartisan modernization working group with Cohen. The new leadership will drive decisions on implementing the FAA Reauthorization Act and guiding billions in proposed ATC modernization spending.

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