by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 1:00 PM ET, Mon November 24, 2025
Lawmakers sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford questioning the delay in Congress-authorized grant funding for certified aviation mechanics, warning that a delay in the appropriated funding could worsen the aircraft shortage that’s already been plaguing American aircraft producer Boeing.
The letter, sent on Monday, was addressed by 21 Democratic House representatives, including Representatives Marilyn Strickland, Rick Larsen and Andre Carson.
The letter states the importance of the grants, beyond reminding the FAA that failure to issue funds would be against the law, since Congress has the power of the purse.
"These ongoing delays are stalling critical aviation workforce development at a time when the industry can least afford it," said the letter, which Reuters had obtained. "Any further delay or denial of these critical grants would disregard the law and constitute a dereliction of duty to ensure safety in our skies."
Congress has originally approved tens of millions of dollars in grant funding to help support training new pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians and mechanics, since the country faces 10 percent less mechanics than are required to meet the country’s aviation needs.
A report by the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) found that the average age of an FAA mechanic is 54, citing a big future need for younger aviation mechanics.
According to Reuters, the delay in grant funding came earlier this year during President Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, arguing that DEI programs take away opportunities for men, particularly white men.
DEI programs typically promote training and employment opportunities for minorities, including women, ethnic minorities, the disabled and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The report by ATEC found that women account for 2.9 percent of U.S. aircraft maintenance workers.
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