Blunt Secures Wins for Passengers, Airports & Manufacturers in FAA Reauthorization

Press Release

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security, today applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan House-Senate long-term agreement to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agreement also includes the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, a three-year reauthorization of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and a four-year reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 93-6 and is now headed to the president's desk.

"Convenient, reliable air travel supports good-paying jobs and economic growth across the country," said Blunt. "This bill will help promote innovation in the aviation industry and includes reforms focused on issues passengers care most about, like increasing safety, improving customer service, and streamlining the screening process. In addition, the bill prioritizes programs that will help Missouri's airports keep up with increasing travel demand, from small and regional airports to international hubs. I appreciate the strong, bipartisan support for getting a long-term FAA reauthorization to the president's desk and look forward to seeing it signed into law."

Following Are the Blunt-Backed Priorities Included in the Bipartisan Agreement:

Modernizes the TSA: The agreement includes provisions from the Thune, Nelson, Blunt, Cantwell TSA Modernization Act to strengthen leadership at the agency, improve technology, and provide additional tools to enhance airport security and increase efficiency in the screening process. The agreement includes a provision requiring TSA to make available, in airports and online, real-time information on security line waits. Also, more canine security teams are authorized.

Increases Aviation Safety: The measure expands training requirements to recognize signs of human trafficking, requires an update on FAA's comprehensive cybersecurity plan, and improves rest and duty rules for flight attendants and pilots. The agreement addresses sexual misconduct by creating a national task force to review current practices, protocols, and requirements for air carriers' responses to sexual misconduct allegations. In addition, the bill increases the civil penalty for interfering with flight or cabin crew.

Improves Service for Customers: The legislation directs FAA to set minimum legroom, width and length requirements for passenger seats in commercial flights. It requires private rooms for nursing mothers in large and medium-sized airports. Provisions are included to address consumers with disabilities issues, including restroom accessibility and service animals on planes. The bill also includes provisions to ensure passengers who have been cleared by a gate attendant to board an aircraft cannot be removed without their consent unless the passenger poses a risk to safety, security, or health. And, the bill ensures airlines promptly return fees for services not received.

Addresses Aviation Workforce Needs: The bill establishes industry groups that will develop recommendations and strategies to encourage young Americans and to recruit women to enter the U.S. aviation workforce. The bill also establishes a grant program that will help future pilots get the education they need to enter the workforce. Institutions that create and deliver a program to prepare students to become pilots, drone operators, or other roles in the aerospace industry will be eligible to compete for funding, including Missouri flight schools, University of Central Missouri, St. Louis University-Parks College of Engineering, Missouri Southern State University, Southeast Missouri State University, and more.

Promotes Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): The agreement recognizes the explosive growth of the UAS industry and directs FAA to integrate UAS more quickly and safely into the national airspace, but also recognizes the importance of personal privacy and safety standards.

Protects and Reforms the Contract Tower Program: The bill includes important provisions to reauthorize, improve, and update the highly successful Contract Tower Program. Missouri has five airports that depend on the contract tower program, including Joplin, Columbia, Branson, Jefferson City, and St. Joseph.

Improves Small and Large Airports: The bill authorizes critical resources for airport and runway infrastructure improvements in communities throughout Missouri. These improvements, which will benefit both large and small airports, are particularly important for growing airports like Joplin Regional Airport and Waynesville-St. Robert Airport, which serves the surrounding communities, including Ft. Leonard Wood. Last month, Blunt announced that Joplin Regional Airport received $7.5 million in grant funding through the Airport Improvement Program to reconstruct a taxiway.

Strengthens Missouri Aerospace Manufacturing: The bill reforms FAA's aviation certification process and reduces other regulatory barriers on manufacturing and maintenance organizations. In addition, the bill maintains and strengthens the quality of the FAA safety workforce.

Supports Essential Air Service: The bill authorizes critical resources to ensure small and rural airports are able to continue connecting travelers with larger airports. The Essential Air Service provides support for airports in Cape Girardeau, Waynesville-St. Robert, Joplin, and Kirksville.

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