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FAA Reauthorization Takes Major Step Forward with Sen. Passage
AOPA Prepares for Reconciliation, Signing

By Chris Dancy

Frederick, MD – The U.S. Senate on Monday evening unanimously approved a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), setting the stage for the next-to-last step before it can go to President Obama to be signed into law. The bill contains a slight increase in the fuel excise tax that general aviation pilots and operators will pay into the aviation trust fund, but like its House counterpart, contains no user fees.

“The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), on behalf of our 415,000 members, is pleased to see reauthorization for the Federal Aviation Administration take this important step forward, funding the agency without the use of user fees,” said AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller. “The final bill will give the FAA the guidance and the long-term support it needs to move forward with the crucial work of modernizing our air traffic control system, preserving our network of airports, and maintaining the safest air transportation system in the world.”

Because the House of Representatives had passed its version of an FAA reauthorization bill last year, the two bodies can go directly to conference to reconcile their separate versions. Although neither version contains user fees, there are other significant differences that remain to be worked out before a compromise bill is ready for the President’s signature.

“We want to extend our thanks to Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) for their guidance in moving bill toward passage, and to Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) for the amendments they offered,” said Lorraine Howerton, AOPA’s vice president of Legislative Affairs. “We look forward now to the work of the conference committee that will craft a blended version of the House and Senate bills to send to President Obama for his signature.”

While no timeline for the conference committee has yet been announced, AOPA remains hopeful that Congress will keep the ball rolling.

- AOPA -

10-1-030

March 23, 2010