Committee Leaders Introduce Backup Plan FAA Extension

Press Release

The bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Aviation Subcommittee, and Ways and Means Committee today introduced legislation to provide a short-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding and programs.

"This extension is simply a backup plan as negotiations on a long-term bill continue," said Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL). "The introduction of the extension will also serve to reserve debate time on the House Floor and ensure that Congress has an opportunity to consider final long-term legislation before the end of the month."

Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI) said, "Introduction of this extension is simply a prudent precaution while we continue work to approve an urgently needed full FAA reauthorization. This doesn't change the fact that we need a reauthorization of the FAA to get through Congress if we are to continue making progress in modernizing our system and utilizing new technologies."

The current FAA extension expires at the end of May. Both the House and Senate have approved long-term authorizing legislation for the FAA. On April 1, 2011, the House approved the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 (H.R. 658) to reform and streamline FAA programs, modernize the nation's aviation system, and create jobs through aviation infrastructure investment.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Mica, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and other committee leaders have agreed to do everything they can to complete a final long-term FAA bill in order to eliminate the need for Congress to pass another extension.

The introduced extension legislation is H.R. 1893. If needed, the measure would extend FAA programs through June 30, 2011.

Note: the House is not session next week. House rules require that legislation be introduced at least three days prior to floor consideration.

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