WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, released the following statement on the plane collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport:
“My prayers are with the victims, families and loved ones, first responders, and all those impacted by the plane collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“I am grateful to the first responders, search and rescue teams, and community members who have worked tirelessly through the night on recovery efforts.
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB), and Department of Defense will investigate the incident. My colleagues and I on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee are continuing to monitor the accident and will do all we can to prevent another tragedy.”
The Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill provides annual funding for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations, including the salaries and expenses of more than 14,000 air traffic controllers, and more than 12,000 engineers and technicians, who help manage the National Airspace System. The THUD bill also provides annual funding for the NTSB, who statutorily is responsible to investigate all aviation accidents.