Aviation Industry Urges U.S. Senate Leadership to Pass a Long-Term FAA Reauthorization

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and 32 other aviation industry organizations sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging them to have the Senate move expeditiously to consider legislation for a long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“It is essential that the FAA is provided long-term authorization for its activities and programs to maintain and advance the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world,” the groups, spanning representatives of general aviation, labor, commercial and cargo airlines, drones, manufacturers and more, wrote. “The U.S. aviation sector supports nearly 11 million jobs and contributes $1.6 trillion in economic activity. The aerospace industry needs dependable authority from the FAA and policymakers to continue to provide the highest level of service for aviation customers and meet the needs of the aviation industry and workforce.”

Congress has not enacted a multi-year authorization bill for the FAA since 2012, a bill that expired almost three years ago. Since September 2015, the agency has been working under a series of short-term extensions, including the current measure expiring on September 30, 2018. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed its version of a long-term reauthorization bill (H.R. 4). The signatories of this letter believe it is imperative for the U.S. Senate to complete its consideration of S. 1405 as soon as possible, to allow adequate time for House and Senate negotiators to reach a final conference agreement by the end of September.

“There is bipartisan support for moving the FAA bill forward now to ensure safety, economic benefits, regulatory reform, and international competitiveness through a long-term reauthorization bill for the FAA,” the groups concluded. “We are eager to assist you in securing consideration of this important legislation and we appreciate your leadership.”