Congress Set for Quick Action on FAA Extension

The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) announces that House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) has introduced legislation to keep the FAA operating for another six months.  Under current law, the FAA’s budget authority expires on Sept. 30.  House and Senate committees passed multi-year FAA reauthorization bills this summer but the legislation has not received floor consideration in either chamber. 

As far as aviation policy goes, the House FAA extension is a “clean bill,” meaning that it simply extends authorization dates and doesn’t make any changes to current aviation policy. However, in the wake of recent hurricanes, the bill includes language aimed at strengthening flood insurance programs.

With the clock running down to Sept. 30, the FAA extension bill is expected to receive swift House and Senate consideration. Once the extension has been enacted, the focus will shift back to enacting a long-term FAA bill.  In the House, Chairman Shuster is still working to round up votes to support his legislation, which has garnered opposition from the general aviation community because it would separate air traffic control functions from the FAA. The Senate bill does not include the ATC provision; however, Senate Minority Leaders Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.) is blocking the bill over concerns about changes to pilot training requirements.

ARSA will continue its efforts to use the reauthorization process to address regulatory concerns and the aviation workforce skills gap. To get more involved in ARSA’s advocacy, contact ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein.