New Hampshire Delegation Urges Exemption from Federal Cuts to Critical Safety Roles

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas and Annie Kuster's (NH-02) predecessor, Maggie Goodlander, are advocating for the exemption of critical safety roles from a planned 10.7% reduction to federal civilians at the Air National Guard (ANG). The proposed cuts could devastate the important role Pease Air National Guard Base plays in supporting emergency services in the region. The delegation is concerned that the reduction will have long-lasting safety and operational impacts, not just in New Hampshire, but across the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New Hampshire delegation is urging General Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to exempt critical safety roles, including firefighters and air traffic controllers, from the planned 10.7% reduction to federal civilians at the ANG.
  • Over half of the civilian employees at Pease Air National Guard Base are civilian emergency personnel and air traffic controllers, who provide services to the Portsmouth International Airport (KPSM), a critical strategic asset.
  • The delegation is concerned that reducing civilian air traffic control will compound an existing national safety issue, as the Army faced its highest mishap rate since 2008, and the Air Force hit its highest in three years in fiscal year 2023.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing a historic shortage of air traffic controllers and needs to hire 3,000 more to meet current demand.
  • The delegation is advocating for a similar exemption for New Hampshire, as well as a provision in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the Guard Bureau to grant a similar extension to any state who requests one.
  • Congresswoman Goodlander secured a critical amendment in the House-passed FY 2026 NDAA to help end the Trump Administration's hiring freeze that's leaving the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard understaffed.

Statistics:

  • 51 out of 96 Title 5 civilian employees at Pease Air National Guard Base are firefighters or air traffic controllers.
  • The Army faced its highest mishap rate since 2008 in fiscal year 2024, and the Air Force hit its highest in three years in fiscal year 2023.
  • The FAA needs to hire 3,000 more air traffic controllers to meet current demand.
  • The hiring freeze at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is risking essential work and understaffing the facility.

Sources:

  • Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander press release (Note: The exact wording of the press release is not available, only the quote provided in the original text.)
  • New Hampshire delegation letter to General Steven Nordhaus (No date provided)
  • FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
  • House-passed FY 2026 NDAA