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In a Letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Kennedy Raised Dire Concerns About Bedford’s Qualifications

BUFFALO, NY – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) formally called on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to reject the nomination of Bryan Bedford for Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a letter addressed to Chair Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, Kennedy expressed serious concerns about Bedford’s longstanding efforts to undermine critical pilot training standards that were enacted in the wake of the Colgan Air Flight 3407 tragedy. 

Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed outside of Buffalo in 2009, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the crash was caused by pilot error, exacerbated by insufficient training and experience. In response, Congress enacted the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010, including the 1,500-hour flight requirement for commercial pilots, a key reform championed by the Flight 3407 families.

“Mr. Bedford’s desire to weaken the 1,500-hour experience requirement for commercial airline pilots not only goes against everything the families of Flight 3407 have fought for after losing their loved ones, but it is contrary to the core responsibilities of the FAA, to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world,” wrote Congressman Kennedy. 

“The hard-won reforms of the Airline Safety Act have protected millions of passengers in raising both the pilot training and pilot qualification requirements since 2010,” said Karen Eckert, whose sister and 9/11 activist Beverly Eckert was killed in the crash of Flight 3407. “Recent events regarding near misses and air traffic control problems serve as a reminder that we need to strengthen—not relax—the safety standards. Pilot training and experience are the cornerstone of those standards.” 

Yet at his confirmation hearing, Mr. Bedford repeatedly would not commit to upholding these critical safety components.  His claim that his focus will be to uphold safety first are empty words in light of his efforts over the years to weaken pilot qualifications for the benefit of his own airline company.” 

As CEO of Republic Airways, Bedford actively lobbied to weaken these requirements and sought FAA approval to hire pilots with half the required flight hours, a request the FAA ultimately rejected, citing public safety concerns. 

“Mr. Bedford’s previous comments and failure to answer congressional questioning on the matter have confirmed for both myself and the families of Flight 3407 that he will seek to weaken the 1,500-hour rule, choosing profit over safety. In the wake of the January 29, 2025, Potomac River mid-air collision and rising near-misses from commercial airline carriers, now is the time to strengthen our aviation system, not weaken it,” wrote Kennedy. 

The letter from Congressman Kennedy has been formally transmitted to all members of the Senate Commerce Committee.

The text of the letter may be found below.

Dear Chair Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell,

I write to urge the rejection of the nomination of Bryan Bedford for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator. 

As the Member of Congress representing many of the families of the victims of Colgan Air Flight 3407, I know firsthand that the safety of passengers and flight crews must be the top priority of the FAA, regardless of administration. Mr. Bedford’s desire to weaken the 1,500-hour experience requirement for commercial airline pilots not only goes against everything the families of Flight 3407 have fought for after losing their loved ones, but it is contrary to the core responsibilities of the FAA, to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 left Newark, New Jersey, for Buffalo, New York. Upon approaching Buffalo, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall, which it did not recover from, crashing into a home in Clarence Center, New York, killing all passengers on board and one person in the home. On February 2, 2010, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded in its final report that the probable cause of the disaster was the pilot’s inappropriate response to an aerodynamic stall, which was not corrected by the first officer, who lacked experience. After the disaster, the families of Flight 3407 successfully advocated to Congress and the FAA to enact a series of safety regulations for air carriers and pilots, including stronger regulations for regional carriers, ensuring that flight crew members have proper qualifications and experience, and requiring pilots to have at least 1,500 flight hours. 

We owe a debt of gratitude to these brave families who advocated tirelessly in the wake of unimaginable tragedy to ensure that everyone can have confidence in air carriers and pilots to safely get them from point A to point B. As such, confirming Mr. Bedford is not only a slap in the face to the families of Flight 3407 but also disastrous for airline safety.

Mr. Bedford has a history of attempting to roll back the 1,500-hour experience standard for airline pilots as the CEO of Republic Airways. During his confirmation hearing before your committee on June 11, 2025, he refused to commit to maintaining the 1,500-hour rule. This is not surprising given that in his role as CEO, he has called on the FAA to reduce the 1,500-hour requirement, citing difficulties and the high expense of obtaining required hours amid a “pilot shortage,” a notion that was quickly rejected by the Air Line Pilots Association. For example, the FAA had rejected Republic Airways’ request to hire pilots with at least 750 hours of flying time if they completed their training program, which they claimed was comparable to military flight training. As you are aware, pilots with military experience or a degree from an approved university program can seek approval to fly with fewer hours. In response, the FAA rightfully concluded that the request was “...not in the public interest and would adversely affect safety.” Additionally, the FAA stated that Republic Airways’ curriculum and training program is not “comparable to the military,” despite Mr. Bedford’s claims. 

Any changes to the 1,500-hour rule will be catastrophic for airline safety and will jeopardize lives. To that end, Mr. Bedford’s previous comments and failure to answer congressional questioning on the matter have confirmed for both myself and the families of Flight 3407 that he will seek to weaken the 1,500-hour rule, choosing profit over safety. In the wake of the January 29, 2025, Potomac River mid-air collision and rising near-misses from commercial airline carriers, now is the time to strengthen our aviation system, not weaken it. 

On behalf of the families of Flight 3407 and the people of Western New York, I respectfully urge this committee to reject Mr. Bedford’s nomination. 

Sincerely, 

Timothy M. Kennedy

Member of Congress (NY-26)

Cc:

Senator John Thune

Senator Roger Wicker

Senator Deb Fischer

Senator Jerry Moran

Senator Dan Sullivan

Senator Marsha Blackburn

Senator Todd Young

Senator Ted Budd

Senator Eric Schmitt

Senator John Curtis

Senator Bernie Moreno

Senator Tim Sheehy

Senator Shelley Moore Capito