Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation which will provide a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's authorities to May 10, allowing the Senate to finish work on their 5-year FAA reauthorization before finalizing language with the House.

One of my major priorities is addressing the staffing shortages at the New York TRACON facility. This key and crucial facility directs planes in and out of the New York City and Long Island areas. This facility has been experiencing staffing issues for many years, which has led to many issues for the FAA, pilots, and, of course, passengers. These challenges led the FAA to implement a plan to transfer workers out of the N90 facility right in the heart of my district and ship them off to Philadelphia.

I was proud to secure language in the House's H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, to prevent any staff cuts or forced transfers from affecting the N90 TRACON facilities--again, in the heart of my district. I was also pleased to see language the Senate's FAA reauthorization also includes regarding this issue. This language would ensure that there is a third-party review on the need for, and the consequences of, a move from the N90 to any other facility.

I look forward to working with leaders of these committees to ensure that these provisions are included in the final FAA reauthorization. Long Islanders should not be forced out of N90. I will continue to fight for these staffing protections. I will continue to fight for Long Island. I will continue to fight for the Empire State.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source