Meng Criticizes Passage of FAA Reauthorization Act for Not Including Provisions to Combat Airplane Noise

Statement

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, today criticized the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act for including no provisions to mitigate airplane noise. The measure, which passed Monday night, reauthorizes funding for the FAA and other air travel programs.

Meng also expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency and the manner in which the bill was brought to the House Floor, pointing out that members of the House were not allowed to offer any amendments, provide input or address concerns of labor unions. The Congresswoman noted that the legislation will not expire until September 30, 2017, meaning that for more than a year, Members of Congress won't have any opportunities to be heard on issues surrounding this important legislation.

A previous version of the FAA Reauthorization bill (the Aviation, Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization Act (AIRR Act)) that was not voted on included noise-related provisions advocated for by Meng and the Quiet Skies Caucus. The AIRR Act included processes for notifying communities near airports of flight path changes and a study on the health impacts of noise exposure.

"The absence of any measures to combat the problem of excessive aircraft noise is a huge disappointment," said Meng. "I have consistently called for this important legislation to include provisions to mitigate airplane noise. This bill would have allowed for an opportunity to directly address the issue, and the previous version of this legislation included ways to deal with it. It is also very unfortunate that this bill was rushed through while keeping House members out of the process. Queens and other affected communities continue to be bombarded by the roaring sounds of aircraft noise that constantly disrupt the quality of life in our neighborhoods. A solution must be reached and I will keep up the fight until we achieve one."

the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that called for noise mitigation measures to be part of the FAA bill. The correspondence was also signed by other members of the Quiet Skies Caucus which Meng helped create in 2014 to raise awareness and find solutions to the problem of aircraft noise.

Although airplane noise has long existed over Queens, the problem increased significantly in 2012 due to the FAA's implementation of new flight patterns over the borough.

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