New England Council Supports FAA Reauthorization Bill
On Friday, June 30, 2023, the New England Council wrote to each member of the New England House delegation to express support for legislation to reauthorize the policies and programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This bipartisan reauthorization bill, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act (H.R. 3935) was introduced on June 9, 2023, by House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN). After two days of consideration in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the bill was passed out of the Committee on Wednesday, June 14, by a unanimous vote of 63 to 0.
As passed by the Committee, the $104 billion five-year bill will provide $4 billion per year for airport planning and development (including airport noise programs); $17.225 billion over five years for facilities and equipment; and a total of roughly $66.7 billion over the five years for FAA operations. The major components of this bill would seek to improve FAA efficiency and operations; strengthen the nation’s general aviation sector; grow the aviation workforce; invest in airport infrastructure; enhance safety; encourage innovation; enhance the passenger experience; and authorize the National Transportation Safety Board.
In its letter, the Council encouraged New England’s representatives to support the bill when is before the full House in the coming weeks. Specifically, the Council noted the importance of updating policies related to the FAA in light of the travel industry’s ongoing recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the NEC Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, please contact Peter Phipps.