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ACR 169

Respectfully urges Congress to appropriate emergency funds for and increase staffing at facilities supporting Newark Liberty International Airport.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 7 co-sponsors

Urges Congress to provide emergency federal funding to modernize Newark ATC infrastructure and boost staffing, stabilizing Newark airspace and reducing delays.

Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · ACR 169

Summary: Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 169 (ACR 169)

Purpose and intent

ACR 169 is a concurrent resolution that respectfully urges the United States Congress to take immediate action to support Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Specifically, it asks Congress to:
- appropriate emergency funds to modernize air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure serving the region, and
- increase staffing at facilities responsible for Newark’s airspace.

The resolution frames this as a necessary, urgent federal responsibility to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable functioning of the national airspace system, particularly at a high-volume hub like EWR.

Key provisions

  • Be It Resolved: The New Jersey Legislature urges Congress to provide emergency funding to modernize ATC infrastructure and boost staffing for EWR-related facilities.
  • Transmission: Copies of the resolution will be sent to national and state decision-makers, including U.S. Senate and House leadership, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and all New Jersey members of Congress.
  • Status alignment: The introduced version mirrors, and the bill is identified as identical to a companion measure in the Senate (SCR 134).

Background and context

  • EWR serves nearly 50 million passengers annually and is a key driver of New Jersey’s economy.
  • In July 2024, control of EWR airspace shifted from the New York TRACON to the Philadelphia TRACON to address understaffing at New York TRACON. The shift did not increase the number of air traffic controllers for EWR, and EWR has experienced multiple ATC system disruptions.
  • The FAA has acknowledged aging infrastructure and staffing shortages nationwide. Philadelphia TRACON currently has about 22 fully certified controllers, with others in training.
  • On May 8, 2025, the U.S. DOT announced a plan to build a new ATC system. ACR 169 emphasizes that this long-term plan will take years, and immediate federal action is needed to stabilize operations at EWR.

Affected parties and impact

  • Primary focus: Airports and airspace operations surrounding EWR; federal aviation infrastructure and staffing.
  • Beneficiaries: Airline passengers, cargo operations, tourism, and regional economy due to improved reliability, fewer delays, and reduced disruption risk.
  • No direct state funding obligation is created; the resolution seeks federal emergency funding and staffing enhancements.

Procedural history and status

  • Introduced: June 12, 2025 (Assembly)
  • Assembly actions: Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee; reported out of committee on June 16, 2025 (2nd Reading); Assembly passed on June 30, 2025 (77-0-2).
  • Senate actions: Received in Senate on October 20, 2025; reported out of Senate Transportation Committee on November 10, 2025 (2nd Reading). The current status notes the Senate committee’s favorable report.
  • Related: SCR 134 is the companion bill in the Senate.

Notes on scope

  • The measure emphasizes federal responsibility for national airspace infrastructure and staffing.
  • It capitalizes on ongoing discussions about ATC modernization but seeks immediate congressional action rather than relying solely on long-term FAA modernization efforts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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