In February 2025, SpaceX, under Elon Musk’s direction, donated 4,000 free Starlink terminals to the Federal Aviation Administration. This donation bypassed competitive procurement procedures, potentially creating vendor lock-in and reinforcing problematic ties between government agencies and influential tech donors.

On June 13, 2024, the FAA outlined a comprehensive plan to increase oversight on Boeing's manufacturing operations following quality and safety concerns, including emergency directives, enhanced inspection protocols, and the development of a new safety management roadmap. This event underscores the FAA's commitment to public safety and its proactive regulatory reforms.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker testified before the Senate, detailing enhanced oversight measures including increased on-site inspections, data monitoring, and enforcement of Boeing’s comprehensive action plan following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident.

On October 24, 2023, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted 98-0 to confirm Michael Whitaker, President Biden's nominee, as the Administrator of the FAA. This decision highlighted bipartisan support for his extensive aviation experience and commitment to improving safety, staffing, and technological upgrades at the agency.

A recent GAO report reveals that following a national airspace shutdown in 2023 due to an aging air traffic control system, the FAA’s own operational risk assessment found a large portion of its ATC systems to be unsustainable or at risk. The report criticizes the slow progress in establishing cost, schedule, and performance baselines for modernizing these critical systems, raising concerns about the agency's ability to ensure the safety and efficiency of the national airspace.