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Duckworth, Durbin urge FAA to release withheld 2.8% raise

9/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin urged FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to approve the remaining 70% of the raise.
Congress authorized a 3.8% raise for controllers, backdated to January, with $140 million funding.
Bedford authorized only a 1% increase, withholding the remaining 2.8%.
Senators said Bedford is using the raise as leverage with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to increase workloads.

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Story summary

Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin urged FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to approve the remaining 70% of the raise.
Congress authorized a 3.8% raise for controllers, backdated to January, with $140 million funding.
Bedford authorized only a 1% increase, withholding the remaining 2.8%.
Senators said Bedford is using the raise as leverage with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to increase workloads.