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Duffy: Big Beautiful Bill a ‘Down Payment’ For New ATC System

Transportation Secretary is urging Congress to pass the budget reconciliation measure.

Sean Duffy transportation secretary air traffic control
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks at a White House press briefing. [Courtesy: Joshua Sukoff/Shutterstock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urging Congress to pass the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
  • The bill proposes an initial $12.5 billion investment for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's outdated Air Traffic Control (ATC) infrastructure.
  • This modernization is deemed "long overdue" due to "old" and "broken" equipment from the 1960s and 70s, as well as recent aviation incidents and system outages.
  • The $12.5 billion is presented as a "down payment," with significantly more funding required to complete the extensive project.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday called on Congress to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes $12.5 billion for a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s ATC infrastructure.

Speaking to reporters after a tour of San Diego International Airport’s (KSAN) ATC tower, Duffy called the aviation-related provisions in the spending proposal “long overdue.”

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

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