Senate Democrat wants Musk, FAA chief to testify about air traffic control technology

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is calling on fellow senators to have Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk and acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Chris Rocheleau testify about air traffic control technology after multiple recent crashes and near-misses involving airplanes.

In a letter sent to Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Markey asked if they would have the Trump administration officials testify before the committee about Musk’s recent comments about the aviation communication system.

“Given Musk’s far-reaching role within the U.S. government and his recent involvement with the FAA’s information technology systems, Musk’s comments could understandably cause panic among air travelers,” Markey wrote.

He highlighted the recent aviation accidents and incidents, and Musk’s subsequent post that said the FAA’s communication system is “breaking down very rapidly.”

“The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk,” Musk said online, adding, “The situation is extremely dire.”

Musk and DOGE have examined the FAA as part of the administration’s plans to scale back federal spending. The cuts have been criticized after the series of aviation accidents and as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Musk call for more air traffic controllers to enter the field.

“Although the FAA’s information technology systems need modernization, Musk’s alarmist rhetoric appears extreme,” Markey said.

The Massachusetts senator argued that Musk should testify and explain if he has found new vulnerabilities in the systems, but if he can’t provide evidence of his claims, it “raises serious questions” about if he is trying to use his position in DOGE to advance his own SpaceX company.

“In either case, the Commerce Committee has a responsibility to immediately hold a public hearing to investigate Musk’s claims on behalf of the American public,” he said.

The Hill has reached out to Cruz’s office for comment.

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