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Two top US senators have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to hold Boeing executives criminally accountable for safety issues related to the company’s airplanes, particularly following the 737 Max crashes.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Over the last five years, Boeing has faced significant safety concerns, most notably the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max jets, which killed a total of 346 people. In addition, Boeing has encountered other issues, including a recent incident in January when a plug door blew out midair on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max, forcing an emergency landing. Although there were no fatalities, these incidents, along with internal reports of inadequate training and quality inspections, have intensified criticism that Boeing prioritizes profits over passenger safety.

What’s going on now: In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal called for the DOJ to take more action against Boeing, specifically urging them to hold the company’s top executives criminally liable for safety issues that have endangered passengers.

In their letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the senators wrote, “For years, the federal government has accused Boeing of putting profits over passenger safety, without pursuing full accountability from the company or the company’s executives directly responsible for compromising passenger safety. The combination of a relatively small fine coupled with a toothless commitment to improve aircraft safety has proven insufficient to effect real change at the company.”

They added, “We therefore urge you to carefully review the behavior and potential culpability of Boeing’s executives and hold criminally accountable any individuals that have promoted a culture at the company that disregards passenger safety in violation of federal laws and regulations.”

They added, “We therefore urge you to carefully review the behavior and potential culpability of Boeing’s executives and hold criminally accountable any individuals that have promoted a culture at the company that disregards passenger safety in violation of federal laws and regulations.”