Duffy, Schmitt propose bill seeking over $30 billion for air traffic control overhaul
Eric Schmitt is backing legislation to provide additional funding for air traffic control modernization.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Washington Times is rated 69 by the site across 48 stories, and the national-news source type supports a generally credible institutional score. The article names its author and attributes claims to officials and other named sources, though the page provides no visible correction-policy evidence.
- Track record — The site's rating of 69 across 48 stories indicates a moderately strong record.
- Source type — Recorded as a national news outlet, a strong positive prior.
- Author attribution — A named author is identified.
- Transparency — The article attributes statements to named sources, but provides no visible information about corrections practices.
The report gives specific funding figures and attributes statements to named transportation officials, a senator, and an industry association leader. It includes lawmakers' concerns about milestones and cost transparency, but offers limited detail on those objections or independent evaluation of the funding plan.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article explains the proponents' rationale and gives specific program costs, while also noting oversight concerns from Duckworth and other lawmakers. Those concerns receive less detail and no direct response from their proponents.
- Counterarguments presented — The article reports concerns about milestones, transparency, and the missing full cost estimate.
- Source diversity — Named sources include bill proponents, an FAA administrator, and an aviation controllers' association leader, with lawmakers' concerns also noted.
- Omitted context — The article gives limited detail on the lawmakers' objections and does not present a detailed independent assessment of the requested funding.
- Loaded language — The reporting is largely factual and restrained.
The article uses mostly neutral reporting language and attributes the case for additional funding to its proponents. It also notes lawmakers' concerns about cost estimates and transparency without strongly endorsing either position.
- Language tone — The language is descriptive and does not use conspicuously partisan or loaded terms.
- Source selection — The article quotes proponents and an industry representative, and reports concerns raised by lawmakers.
- Framing — The funding proposal is presented alongside both infrastructure failures and oversight concerns.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Sen. Eric Schmitt are backing the Modern Skies Act, which would provide $30 billion for air traffic control modernization. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and other lawmakers are seeking clearer milestones and cost information.
Duffy and Schmitt jointly endorsed the Modern Skies Act, introduced Monday to replace aging facilities and upgrade telecommunications infrastructure. The bill would appropriate $10.1 billion next fiscal year for facilities, technology, cloud and telecommunications infrastructure, and controller workstations. Schmitt said the legislation would support modernization, while Duffy said additional funding is needed to complete the work.
The article describes recent telecommunications failures and a cut fiber-optic cable that caused ground stops and delays affecting more than 9,500 flights across the Northeast. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency received $12.5 billion under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and had originally sought $30 billion for modernization. Duckworth and other lawmakers have pressed FAA officials for firm milestones and greater transparency, citing a report that the agency still lacks a full cost estimate.
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SWIPE →Transportation Secretary and co-proponent of the Modern Skies Act
Duffy's version of this story ↗Senator seeking FAA milestones and greater transparency
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