Amna Nawaz
@PBSNewsHour·5.3M subscribers·62.2K videos
Lawmakers criticize the shutdown of El Paso's airspace
Posted
February 13, 2026
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1,658
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February 13, 2026
1,658
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1:48Now PlayingDemocrats on a U.S. Senate committee criticized this week's closure of the El Paso airspace, saying real communication issues led to the unprecedented shutdown.
Lawmakers on the Senate Commerce Committee pointed to a lack of communication between the FAA and the Pentagon for the closure. At issue were Pentagon plans to test a laser to shoot down drones used by Mexican drug cartels. It's believed the target turned out to be a party balloon.
The head of the NTSB also expressed her shock at the lack of coordination at Thursday's hearing, saying "the lack of communication even within a large agency and between agencies is terrible."
Homendy was originally called to testify to the committee about the NTSB's findings on last year's air collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter that killed 67 people. Thursday's hearing focused on a long-running NTSB recommendation that aircraft be equipped with multiple location systems that some believe could have prevented the tragedy.
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