Latest news with #MariaCantwell
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Senators Call for Watchdog Probes of Midair Plane Collision Near DC
A bipartisan group of senators called on government watchdogs to examine the midair collision near DC in January, in part to determine whether shortfalls in managing the congested airspace contributed to the deadly accident. The senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas and Washington's Maria Cantwell — the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee — requested in a letter Monday that the acting inspector general for the Transportation Department examine the US Federal Aviation Administration 's oversight of the airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the collision occurred.
New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Senators Demand Government Watchdog Inquiries Into D.C. Plane Crash
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Monday asked the inspectors general of the Army and Department of Transportation to conduct parallel audits of the agencies' aviation safety practices around Washington, D.C., in the wake of a deadly midair collision earlier this year. The bipartisan letter was led by Senators Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas and the panel's chairman, and Maria Cantwell of Washington, the committee's top Democrat, and signed by all of the panel's Democrats and most of its Republicans. In it, the senators emphasized that the Jan. 29 accident, in which an Army Blackhawk helicopter slammed into American Airlines Flight 5342, highlighted a dangerous and continuing pattern of near misses between military and commercial aircraft around Ronald Reagan National Airport. They called on the inspectors general to 'specifically address whether improved F.A.A. and Army procedures, communication systems or adherence to existing protocols would increase aviation safety' in the area, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. The letter comes days before the committee is set to be briefed behind closed doors by representatives of the F.A.A., the Army and the National Transportation Safety Board about the crash and other recent close calls between commercial flights and military aircraft in areas around Reagan National Airport and the Pentagon. The briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, according to a congressional aide with knowledge of the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly. Securing these internal watchdog inquiries has been a top priority for Families of Flight 5342, a group formed by the relatives of the American Airlines passengers who were killed. In a statement, the group said that the senators' bipartisan request 'represents a critical first step toward rebuilding public trust after this tragedy.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats unveil sweeping air safety legislation after fatal National Airport crash
Seven Democratic lawmakers unveiled legislation Thursday outlining updated air safety regulations after a deadly passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter in January. The proposed bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to do safety reviews after commercial airline accidents while requiring companies to use advanced aircraft-tracking technology known as ADS-B. Democratic Sens. Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Ed Markey (Mass.) introduced the Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 'to strengthen aviation safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), airports across the nation, and the Federal Aviation Administration,' according to a press release. Both President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have called for major reform for airlines after several deadly plane crashes at the beginning of the year. Complications continued in early May, as two commercial passenger jets landing at National Airport last week needed to shift course because of an Army helicopter taking a 'scenic route' near the airport. Duffy, in part, said incidents occurred due to a dwindling air traffic control staff, outdated communication technology and a lack of clear guidance on military flights. However, lawmakers say Thursday's legislation will help close the gap in aviation regulations. 'The DCA tragedy claimed 67 lives and exposed critical gaps in aviation safety oversight—over 15,000 near-misses should have been a glaring warning sign,' Cantwell said in the release. 'This legislation closes dangerous loopholes that allowed aircraft to operate without essential safety technology, mandates modern surveillance systems that enhance pilot awareness of nearby aircraft, and ensures the FAA finally acts on the data instead of ignoring it.' The FAA declined The Hill's request for comment on the pending bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Democrats unveil sweeping air safety legislation after fatal Reagan National crash
Seven Democratic lawmakers unveiled legislation Thursday outlining updated air safety regulations after a deadly passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter in January. The proposed bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to do safety reviews after commercial airline accidents while requiring companies to use advanced aircraft-tracking technology known as ADS-B. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 'to strengthen aviation safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), airports across the nation, and the Federal Aviation Administration,' according to a press release. Both President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have called for major reform for airlines after several deadly plane crashes at the beginning of the year. Complications continued in early May, as two commercial passenger jets landing at Reagan National Airport last week needed to shift course because of an Army helicopter taking a 'scenic route' near the airport. Duffy, in part, said incidents occurred due to a dwindling air traffic control staff, outdated communication technology and a lack of clear guidance on military flights. However, lawmakers say Thursday's legislation will help close the gap in aviation regulations. 'The DCA tragedy claimed 67 lives and exposed critical gaps in aviation safety oversight—over 15,000 near-misses should have been a glaring warning sign,' Cantwell said in the release. 'This legislation closes dangerous loopholes that allowed aircraft to operate without essential safety technology, mandates modern surveillance systems that enhance pilot awareness of nearby aircraft, and ensures the FAA finally acts on the data instead of ignoring it.' The FAA declined The Hill's request for comment on the pending bill.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Democrats Unveil Bill Responding to Midair Collision Near DC
Senate Democrats introduced legislation Thursday they said would boost aviation safety following a deadly midair collision near Washington earlier this year. The bill, sponsored by several senators, including Maria Cantwell of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, is the first major piece of legislation proposed since the crash between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines Group Inc. regional jet that killed 67 people in January.
