FAA's new grant requirements remove Biden-era environmental, DEI mandates

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FAA's new grant requirements remove Biden-era environmental, DEI mandates

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Sean Duffy U.S. Transportation Secretary | U.S. Department of Transportation

By Sky Industry News

Apr 28, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced upcoming changes to the requirements for airport improvement program (AIP) grants, which could have significant implications for communities seeking federal assistance in fiscal year 2025 and later. The changes involve the removal of five executive orders (EOs) signed by former Democratic Presidents Joe Biden, Lyndon Johnson, and Bill Clinton, in favor of EOs signed by former President Donald Trump.

The FAA published a notice on April 25 proposing updates to the AIP grant assurances to reflect legislative changes in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and recently issued EOs. Interested parties have until May 9 to offer comments on the proposals.

The proposed changes would affect grants issued in fiscal year 2025 and beyond. "These grant assurances are incorporated in and become part of a sponsor's grant agreement for Federal financial assistance. As need dictates, the FAA modifies these assurances to reflect new Federal requirements," the FAA stated in the notice.

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Among the removed orders are 'Equal Employment Opportunity,' signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1965, which aimed to prevent discrimination based on race, creed, color, or national origin; and 'To Address Environmental Justice In Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,' signed by Bill Clinton, which directed federal agencies to include environmental justice in their mission.

The three EOs from Biden focused on racial equity and support for underserved communities, combating discrimination on gender identity or sexual orientation, and tackling the climate crisis. These will be replaced by orders from Trump that emphasize freedom of speech, merit-based opportunities, and ending DEI programs.

In response to these changes, Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, questioned the allocation of federal funds to states that do not align with federal immigration enforcement or have DEI policies. "Do [states] want to get in line, or do they want cash for [their] projects?" he asked during a segment on Fox News, challenging states to comply with the new guidelines.