Committee Activity

The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development will hold a hybrid hearing titled: “Moving Upwards and Onwards: The Workforce and Innovation Needs of the Aviation and Aerospace Industry.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 12, 2022 in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Participating members can also join remotely via Zoom.

The U.S. aviation and aerospace industry is an essential component of both the economy and national defense. Small entities comprise more than 90 percent of businesses in airline transportation, air transport support, and aviation manufacturing. For years, this industry has been struggling with workforce shortages, which were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the technological advancement in the sector means continual upskilling is needed to maintain the highly skilled STEM workforce. This hearing will explore innovation in the aviation and aerospace industry, examine workforce needs, and discuss policy solutions that will continue to drive innovation and ease the workforce shortage.
To view a livestream of the hearing, click here. 

Hearing Notice

Hearing Memo

Witnesses

Hon. Eric Fanning
President & Chief Executive Officer
Aerospace Industries Association
Arlington, VA
Testimony 

Ms. ML Mackey
Chief Executive Officer
Beacon Interactive Systems
Waltham, MA
*Testifying on behalf of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
Testimony 

Mr. Blake Scholl
Founder & Chief Executive Officer 
Boom Technology, Inc. 
Centennial, CO
Testimony 
Ms. Judy Burns
President
Patriot Machine
St. Charles, MO
Testimony