Hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Graves, Hearing on Aviation Safety

Hearing

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling today's hearing.

I want to join my colleagues in expressing my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of both Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. None of us can truly understand the pain and sorrow you are enduring. We thank you for being here today to share your perspective with the Subcommittee as we continue to review the impacts of these two terrible tragedies.

There is no doubt in my mind that all of us share the common goal of seeking the safest aviation system and striving to improve it here in the United States and around the world. Our efforts in this regard must be constant, consistent, and constructive.
This means mitigating risks and developing contingencies in all areas. To this end, I am pleased that we will also hear from the National Transportation Safety Board as well as labor organizations. These unions represent the men and women operating, maintaining, and servicing U.S. airlines, as well as those regulating and inspecting U.S. airlines and manufacturers every day. Their views will assist our understanding of the state of aviation safety in the U.S. and abroad.
I also look forward to testimony from the many other aviation stakeholders and from the Federal Aviation Administration directly on the state of aviation safety at a future hearing.
I again want to thank the family members for being here and express my condolences.

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