Secretary Sean Duffy testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on President Donald Trump’s budget request for the Department of Transportation. Rep. Hank Johnson (D) took the opportunity to question him over the number of air traffic controllers who have left since January.
Rep. Johnson began his questioning by asking Secretary Duffy about air traffic controllers and the stress associated with their responsibilities. Johnson also thanked Duffy for standing up for air traffic controllers against Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative.
This, of course, led Johnson to ask Duffy how many air traffic controllers had left the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since January of 2025. Duffy responded, to the disappointment of Johnson, that he didn’t know.
Duffy elaborated that he didn’t know because controllers are always coming and going. He did, however, reaffirm that he was working to retain and recruit more.
Johnson then pivoted to ask how Duffy handles so much responsibility, between the FAA, NASA, and his sizable family. Duffy simply stated that he makes it work with his passion for the country.
Before his time was up, Johnson made sure to ask a final time about the number of air traffic controllers that had left. Duffy reassured that he would follow up later with a better answer.
While the exchange on the Hill was relatively friendly, Rep. Johnson expressed frustration and ridicule on X. He commented twice on how Sec. Duffy should know how many air traffic controllers have left.
First, Johnson stated, “I am starting to think that nobody at (the Department of Transportation) or the entire Trump Administration knows how many air traffic controllers have left since January... and that would be laughable if it weren't so scary.”
“How many air traffic controllers have left the FAA since January 20, 2025? Even the Secretary of Transportation/ Interim Administrator of NASA doesn't know,” Johnson continued. “This is a very serious issue that deserves a serious response that the Trump Administration is still refusing to provide.”
