GOP Calls For Major Air Travel Change
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., is warning that Washington’s failure to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system has become a serious threat to aviation safety — and to every American who steps on a plane.
During a recent appearance on Newsmax’s “Newsline,” Bergman, a retired airline pilot and Marine Corps general, said the federal government is dangerously behind the times. “This might sound like a joke, but it’s not,” he said. “I’d rather be a pilot than a driver on Atlanta’s freeways when there’s snow and ice. The people are great — but they’re not trained for tough conditions.”
Bergman said that same lack of preparation has infected Washington’s aviation bureaucracy. “Training, readiness, and adaptability must always come first,” he explained. “We are long overdue to bring our air traffic control system into the 21st century — using modern predictive tools for maintenance and safety, both in the sky and on the ground.”
🚨 Outdated Systems, Real-World Danger
The Michigan congressman warned that old technology and bureaucratic red tape could one day lead to disaster. “Imagine a plane on fire, or a miscommunication as another plane crosses the runway — all preventable with the right systems,” Bergman said. “The technology already exists, but Washington refuses to act.”
He blamed government inertia — and resistance from powerful unions — for blocking progress. “I’m not pointing fingers,” he said, “but there’s been an unwillingness to update the rules so more qualified Americans can train for modern air traffic control jobs. That’s the problem.”
✈️ Modernization Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Life-or-Death Issue
Bergman’s warning echoes a growing fear across the aviation industry: America’s air traffic control network is running on outdated technology built for another era. “This isn’t optional,” Bergman insisted. “If we want safe skies, the government must wake up, cut the red tape, and modernize now.”
For many conservatives, Bergman’s message hits home. Government inefficiency and union obstruction have become all too familiar — and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. While President Trump’s administration once pushed to streamline and upgrade U.S. aviation systems, progress has slowed under the weight of Washington’s endless bureaucracy.
🇺🇸 Bottom Line
America’s skies are growing busier every year, but the federal government hasn’t kept up. Rep. Bergman’s blunt message is clear: Washington’s failure to act is putting lives at risk.
It’s time for leadership that puts safety, technology, and common sense ahead of bureaucracy and politics.
