Dingell: Congress Should Pass Clean FAA Extension

Statement

"Today, I joined my colleagues in opposition to the 21st short-term extension of FAA programs that are set to expire July 22. As a Member that represents one of the top airports in the nation -- Detroit Metro Airport -- I understand how critical long-term stability and funding for the FAA is for our airports and the flying public. Today's proposed extension does nothing but put band-aids on a cut that needs stitches.

"While I believe that Congress must stop shirking its duties to reauthorize the aviation programs, if we must pass an extension, it should be a clean extension. Chairman Mica's extension would make a policy change to the Essential Air Service program that would result in 13 airports losing their subsidies. Policy decisions such as these belong in a reauthorization bill, not in an extension.

"Let me be clear, I do not believe repeatedly extending programs -- FAA or otherwise -- is legislating at its finest. Inaction on the FAA reauthorization inhibits the airport industry from budgeting for employees and infrastructure improvements.

"I urge both sides to get serious and act together to finish Congress' work on the FAA reauthorization. In the meantime, if we are going to extend the FAA reauthorization before we have completed our conference work then we should do so cleanly, without controversial policy changes."

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