New York Democrat Adriano Espillat said Thursday that he might consider “going to Amtrak” instead of flying out of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Why is it important?
Recent plane crashes and closure calls across the country have raised concerns about safety protocols.
The DCA in Arlington, Virginia experienced a fatal air collision over the Potomac River in January, involving a military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet. President Donald Trump then questioned whether his diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative was blaming crashes.
Amidst close calls and tragic accidents, air travel remains widely considered among the safest forms of transport.
What do you know
In an email to Newsweek, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a preliminary statement: The Embraer E175 headed to the FAA's JFK International Airport.
On his previous Twitter, X, Espaillat said he was on one of the planes. “This afternoon, several members of Congress, including me and other passengers, were involved in a small incident in which the plane cut off its wings on another plane while being guided at Ronald Reagan National Airport.”
Espaillat continued. “Aviation accidents are the highest ever, and the Trump administration's reckless decision to fire the FAA administrative staff puts us all at risk. We are grateful that none of us were injured and that a catastrophe was avoided.”
While speaking to CNN, Espaillat said, “We can't make up for this. We have to have incredibly staffed people. We're terrified that the funds are being taken away from it.
The lawmaker was later asked about the future use of the DCA. “I mean, I thought about going to Amtrak, going to Amtrak when the weather is bad.
After taking office in January, Trump implemented Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire Elon Musk, designed it to reduce government waste, fraud and abuse, according to the White House.
After the air collision in January, Musk said he wanted to “fast safety upgrades” to air traffic control, but denied claims from Transport Secretary Sean Duffy that air traffic controllers were one of the workforce cuts implemented by DOGE.
What people are saying
New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottimer, who was on one of the planes, posted on X on Thursday.
Gregory Meek faction, a New York Democrat who is also a passenger, was posted on X.
Another passenger, Republican Rep. Nick Larota of New York, said in X:
