Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
In Committee
Summary
Expands and modernizes the air traffic control training pipeline. The bill restructures college ATC programs, funds training equipment and grants, creates retention incentives, and improves mental health training and radar oversight to bolster safety and staffing.
Show full summary
- Students and colleges: Updates the Collegiate Training Initiative and creates an Enhanced-CTI grant program to fund curriculum, faculty, simulators, FAA-required tests, and medical certificates. Grants are funded at $20 million per year from FY2026 through FY2031.
- Controllers and the FAA: Authorizes $20 million per year from FY2026 through FY2031 to procure and place Training System Support at U.S. ATC facilities. Adds a CPC qualification incentive for trainees and retention incentives for Certified Professional Controllers.
- Safety and airports: Requires a mental health training course for mental health providers and Aviation Medical Examiners within 180 days to improve ATC mental health decision-making. Requires a 90-day report on the Airport Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar program including cost-benefit, lifecycle needs for Models 8, 9, and 11, and how airports will detect non-cooperative objects.
*Authorizes $20 million per year for Enhanced-CTI grants and $20 million per year for Training System Support from FY2026 through FY2031, increasing federal spending by about $40 million per year during those years.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More college paths into air traffic jobs
If enacted, the FAA would expand college air traffic training and create new grants. Colleges could get $20 million each year from 2026–2031 to build classes, simulators, and supplies, including FAA tests and medical certificates. Another $20 million each year from 2026–2031 would fund training systems at control facilities. CTI and Enhanced‑CTI graduates could be hired noncompetitively, then convert to career status after reaching full performance. The bill would add qualification and retention incentives for trainees and Certified Professional Controllers, and extend an annuity supplement to ATC faculty at participating schools. A committee would review curricula and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment exam, report in 1 year, and prompt FAA action within 180 days.
Mental health training for aviation medical examiners
If enacted, the FAA would set up a mental health course within 180 days. The course would teach providers how FAA mental‑health rules apply to air traffic controllers. Aviation Medical Examiners would get advanced training. The FAA would consult experts and consider online and in‑person classes and an advisory board.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Mann
KS • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Gillen
NY • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Fedorchak
ND • R
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Turner (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Latimer
NY • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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