SUMMARY:
On June 8, the Aircraft Electronics Association and 13 other aviation organizations delivered a letter to congressional leaders urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill for reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency's current funding extension is set to expire July 15.
With just a little more than one week before the current funding expires, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA); House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD); and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) released the following joint statement on July 6:
"We have reached an agreement on an FAA extension that provides much-needed stability for our aviation system through September 2017. This bill includes significant airport security reforms as well as critical aviation safety provisions and time-sensitive enhancements for air travelers. We look forward to sending this measure to the president before the July 15 expiration of the FAA's current authorization. Recognizing that this is a year-long extension, we are also committed to working together on a longer-term reauthorization that includes other important reforms benefiting all passengers and Americans who depend on a safe aviation system."
Click here for a summary of the agreement. Legislative text will be made available at transportation.house.gov and commerce.senate.gov.
AEA Commentary:
"Although we are pleased that Congress is nearing agreement to fund the agency through Sept. 30, 2017, it is disappointing that we face another short-term fix instead of a long-term reauthorization bill that is critical for strategic planning and NextGen implementation," said AEA President Paula Derks.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, by email at ricp@aea.net or by phone at 202-589-1144.