The "Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025" prevents mass layoffs at the FAA for one year following a major aviation accident, requiring congressional approval for any such layoffs.
Josh Gottheimer
Representative
NJ-5
The "Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025" prevents mass layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for one year following a major aviation accident. It requires the FAA Administrator to notify Congress of any planned mass layoff, which can only proceed if Congress approves it via a joint resolution. This bill defines a mass layoff as affecting 10 or more employees at a single site or 250 or more employees regardless of location within a 90-day period. The bill aims to ensure stability within the FAA workforce during critical times following aviation accidents.
New Bill Blocks FAA Mass Layoffs for One Year After Major Air Accidents, Requires Congressional OK
This proposal, the "Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025," puts the brakes on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) making large-scale job cuts right after a serious plane crash. Specifically, it prevents the FAA Administrator from carrying out or facilitating a "mass layoff" for a full year following a "major aviation accident." The core idea is to maintain stability and expertise within the agency during critical periods of investigation and safety review.
Grounded Decisions: Defining the Limits
So, what counts as a trigger? The bill defines a "major aviation accident" straightforwardly as any aircraft accident involving a fatality. If such an event occurs, the one-year restriction kicks in. A "mass layoff" is also clearly defined: cutting 10 or more FAA employees at a single location within 90 days, or 250 or more employees agency-wide within the same timeframe. This includes remote workers tied to a specific site. The goal here seems clear: prevent knee-jerk reactions or budget cuts that could undermine the FAA's ability to function effectively precisely when its oversight is most needed.
Congress Gets the Call: Adding a Layer of Review
Even after the one-year period, the bill doesn't give the FAA free rein. Before any mass layoff can happen, the Administrator has to formally notify Congress, detailing the number and types of positions affected. Crucially, the layoff can only proceed if Congress explicitly approves it through a joint resolution within 60 days of receiving that notification. This adds a significant check, ensuring that large-scale staffing changes at the agency responsible for air safety receive legislative scrutiny.
Real-World Ripples: Safety, Stability, and Oversight
What does this mean practically? For FAA employees – from air traffic controllers to safety inspectors – it offers a degree of job security following a major incident, a time when pressure on the agency is immense. For the flying public, the intended benefit is sustained safety oversight. Maintaining experienced staff levels could be crucial for thorough accident investigations and implementing necessary safety improvements across the aviation system. While any restriction on agency management could theoretically raise questions about efficiency, this bill prioritizes operational stability and Congressional oversight in the direct aftermath of significant air safety events.