# Plain Language Summary: Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025

This bill prevents the Federal Aviation Administration from laying off large numbers of workers for one year after a major plane crash that kills people. The basic idea is straightforward: after a fatal aviation accident, the FAA shouldn't be cutting staff when it might need those workers to investigate what went wrong, improve safety procedures, or handle increased scrutiny and workload. However, there's an escape hatch built in. If Congress votes to approve it within 60 days, the FAA can still go ahead with the layoffs even during that one-year window. The FAA would have to notify Congress first, explaining how many workers they want to let go and what types of jobs those workers do.

The bill defines a "mass layoff" in two ways: either 10 or more FAA employees at a single location losing their jobs within a 90-day period, or 250 or more FAA employees anywhere in the country during that same timeframe. This definition includes both people working at physical FAA offices and remote workers who are connected to those locations through their assignments, training, or reporting structure. The one-year protection period starts from when a fatal aviation accident occurs—meaning an aircraft crash where at least one person dies.

For everyday people, this mainly affects FAA workers who might otherwise face job cuts following a major aviation disaster. It could also indirectly affect air travelers and the general public by potentially preserving the workforce capacity needed to investigate accidents and maintain safety standards during critical periods. The bill essentially says that in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, Congress gets a say in whether the FAA can reduce its workforce, rather than letting that decision happen automatically.

Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025

Gottheimer, Josh

Don't Cut FAA Workers Act of 2025This bill prohibits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from carrying out a mass layoff within one&nbsp;year of a major aviation accident&nbsp;(i.e., an aircraft accident in which a fatal aviation injury occurs), unless the FAA receives congressional approval.&nbsp;Specifically, the FAA must notify Congress of plans to carry out or&nbsp;facilitate a mass layoff following a major aviation accident. The notification must&nbsp;include&nbsp;the number and type of employees proposed to be laid off. The FAA may only carry out the layoff if Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the proposal no later than 60 days after receiving the notification.Under the bill, a&nbsp;mass layoff means a reduction in force or other termination of employment that results in a personnel loss during any 90-day period of (1) 10 or more FAA employees at a single&nbsp;employment site; or (2) 250 or more FAA employees, irrespective of the employment site.