Rudy Yakym: “I thank the chairman for yielding and for his incredible work on this FAA reauthorization bill. It has been a bipartisan…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding and for his incredible work on this FAA reauthorization bill. It has been a bipartisan experience working with Ranking Member Larsen, and I thank him, as well, for his work on my amendments. I thank them both for including Yakym amendment 100 in this en bloc. This amendment which was developed in a bipartisan manner and partnership with my colleague, Representative Titus from Nevada, extends the requirement that the FAA take a maximal approach to hiring and training air traffic controllers through the full life of the reauthorization. This summer, we have seen headlines, heard from constituents, and maybe some of you have even experienced delayed flights and the chaos that that can bring--one big reason is that we have 1,200 fewer fully certified controllers than we did just 10 years ago. Hiring isn't keeping up with the attrition, and short-staffed facilities impose mandatory overtime and 6-day workweeks, which isn't sustainable for the controllers we have. An Inspector General report recently found that the FAA ``lacks a plan to address'' the controller shortage. The American traveling public needs the FAA to pursue a sustained, long-term commitment to maximum hiring of air traffic controllers, and Congress should require it. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.”