Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator John Hoeven
Introduced
Summary
Expands air traffic control training and builds a clearer college-to-career path for new controllers. The bill strengthens the Collegiate Training Initiative, funds Enhanced-CTI programs, and adds hiring, retention, instructor, mental-health, and radar reporting measures to shore up the workforce.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More federal money for ATC training
If enacted, the FAA would run a grant program for colleges in the Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative. Grants could pay for curriculum, faculty, simulators, and FAA-required tests. The bill would authorize $20 million a year for fiscal years 2026–2031 for those grants. The bill would also authorize $20 million a year for fiscal years 2026–2031 to buy and place training systems at air traffic control facilities.
New hiring path and pay incentives
If enacted, the FAA could hire CTI graduates noncompetitively into excepted service air traffic controller jobs. Those appointments could become career jobs once you reach full performance level. The Department would also set up a qualification incentive for trainees and a retention incentive for Certified Professional Controllers, following section 40122(a) rules.
Retirement boost for Enhanced CTI faculty
If enacted, instructors and their supervisors at Enhanced-CTI colleges would become eligible for the federal annuity supplement. This would expand who may get that retirement supplement.
Review and mental health training for ATC
If enacted, the FAA would convene a committee to review academy and CTI curricula and the ATSA exam and report to Congress within one year. Within 180 days after that report, FAA would start rulemaking or update policy or explain why not. The FAA would also set up a mental-health training course for providers and Aviation Medical Examiners within 180 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Hoeven
ND • R
Cosponsors
Jeanne Shaheen
NH • D
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Tammy Duckworth
IL • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
James Risch
ID • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Mike Crapo
ID • R
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Maggie Hassan
NH • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Steve Daines
MT • R
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Martin Heinrich
NM • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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