WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - The White House said

Friday it wants to cut funding for the Transportation Security

Administration by $247 million, while boosting spending on rail

and air safety.

The 2026 budget proposal seeks another $360 million for the

FAA to support air traffic controller hiring and salary

increases and updates to its outdated telecommunications systems

and $400 million in new rail safety and infrastructure. The

proposal also calls for cutting by $300 million funding for

Essential Air Service, a program to subsidize commercial air

service to rural airports.