U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres Delivers Floor Remarks in Support of Proposed NOTAM Task Force

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) moments ago delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023:

“Mister Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023.

The FAA’s Notice to Air System (NOTAM), which sends real-time alerts to pilots about safety conditions, experienced an outage with consequences so far-reaching that it led to more than 10,000 flight delays and more than 1,300 flight cancellations.

Even though the cause of the outage bore no connection to a cyberattack, the breakdown in NOTAM alerts nonetheless raises concerns about the cyber vulnerabilities of the antiquated systems that underlie modern air travel.

At a time when cyberattacks are rising in both scope and sophistication, modernizing the cybersecurity of air travel must be a priority for the federal government. Twentieth century air systems will no longer suffice in a world of 21st century cyber challenges.

That is why I have written a letter, calling upon both CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) and DOT (Department of Transportation) to conduct a joint review of the cyber vulnerabilities of all aviation systems, including NOTAM. 

And that is why I will proudly vote for bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to establish a Taskforce

on NOTAM improvement.”

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