Congress Presses FAA to Act on Delayed Workforce Grants

Members of Congress are calling on the FAA to immediately release Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program funds, citing ongoing delays that are slowing implementation of training initiatives nationwide. The request comes after Fly-in attendees requested congressional inquiry into continued delays.
 
In a letter to Administrator Bryan Bedford, lawmakers emphasized that the FAA has not initiated the fiscal year 2025 grant cycle as required under the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, despite a Notice of Funding Opportunity that solicited applications earlier this year. Round Three recipients approved for continuation funding earlier this year have also not yet received their awards.
 
"Every day that these grant awards go undistributed further delays the development and deployment of the skilled workforce needed to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our aviation system," the letter states. Lawmakers requested a written response from the FAA on:

• When continuation awards will be distributed
• The expected publication date of an anticipated revised NOFO
• When award recipients can anticipate funding
• Steps the agency is taking to comply with the Reauthorization requirements

ATEC will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more information becomes available. View the full Congressional letter here.