'Wakeup call': Bipartisan lawmakers call for more air traffic controllers in wake of D.C. tragedy

CHICAGO - There is rare bipartisan consensus on the need to hire more air traffic safety personnel, especially air traffic controllers.

Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act last year that called for thousands of new air traffic controllers across the nation, but the Trump administration's efforts to freeze hiring across the board has thrown that into question.

What they're saying:

"What happened at Reagan National should serve as a wake-up call to accelerate this hiring process," said Illinois congressman Mike Quigley, whose district includes O’Hare International Airport. "There have been near collisions throughout our systems including at O'Hare and there have been instances on the ground as well."

Quigley said resources have long been stretched thin at O’Hare.

"For many years now, the air traffic controllers at O'Hare have been operating six days per week simply because we don't have the staffing available. This is a very stressful job," he said.

Quigley helped pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that called for up to 2,000 new air traffic controllers in the next five years.

This week, the Trump administration ordered a hiring freeze across government for non-public safety personnel. A spokesperson for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association told Fox 32 Chicago they are not sure if President Trump’s executive order impacts air traffic personnel.

On Friday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump supported hiring qualified workers and took a jab at so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

"The president has lamented the deterioration of hiring standards at the Federal Aviation Administration and he wants to increase those standards," Leavitt said.

Peoria Republican congressman Darin LaHood said he agrees on more personnel and focusing on merit over diversity.

"I was at the Rockford airport in my district earlier this week with air traffic controllers and heard firsthand on the shortage of controllers, so we have an obligation and responsibility to pick the best qualified and look for federal resources in our budget to hire them and make sure they're properly trained," LaHood told Fox 32 Chicago.

However, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association poured cold water on the notion that DEI plays a role in hiring.

In a statement, Nick Daniels said, "air traffic controllers earn the prestigious and elite status of being a fully certified professional controller after successfully completing a series of rigorous training milestones. The standards to achieve certification are not based on race or gender."

What we don't know:

It is unclear whether the hiring freeze applies to air traffic controllers, as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has yet to confirm its impact.

What's next:

Congress and federal agencies will need to clarify the scope of the hiring freeze and whether air traffic controllers are exempt. Lawmakers from both parties will likely continue advocating for hiring solutions to address staffing shortages and maintain air travel safety.