From staff reports If President Joe Biden signs House Resolution 3935, then Oklahoma City’s Mike Monroney Center will be busy training new air traffic controllers. Congress approved the measure, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, last week by a vote of 387-26.
One goal of the bill is to hire 3,000 air traffic controllers. It may also add training simulators to more of the nation’s air traffic control towers.
Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas urged the House to approve the measure.
“As Chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, I’ve worked with my colleagues for over a year on this bill and I’m proud of the agreement we’ve come to with our Senate counterparts.”
The bill includes language to improve training and set the air traffic controller hiring goal to the highest possible.
“The Research and Development title of this bill provides a comprehensive safety framework and integration of emerging technologies into air travel,” Lucas said. “By preserving and protecting the House provisions of this bill, we’ve ensured that this is the most robust Research and Development title we’ve seen in an FAA bill.”
If signed by Biden, the bill will provide $105 billion for the FAA and $738 million for the National Transportation Safety Board over the next five years.
Of the 26 opposed, one vote came from Oklahoma Congressman Josh Brecheen, although he has yet to issue a statement explaining his opposition to the measure.
“This year’s FAA reauthorization includes provisions which expand and protect the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, which trains about 20,000 air traffic control students every year,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. “This campus is a huge part of our community, and I am proud it will remain the primary training center right here in Oklahoma.”