DeMint, Rockefeller, Hutchinson, Dorgan Introduce Bipartisan Aviation Bill

Press Release

DeMint, Rockefeller, Hutchinson, Dorgan Introduce Bipartisan Aviation Bill

Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Byron Dorgan (D-ND) joined together today to introduce legislation that will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The bipartisan legislation will accelerate modernization of the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system, address critical safety concerns in the national airspace system (NAS), and improve rural community access to air service.

"This is important legislation that rightly focuses on modernizing the air traffic control system and aviation safety, while avoiding extraneous provisions that could slow its progress in the Senate," said Senator Jim DeMint. "I'm very pleased that the bill incorporates many necessary improvements in safety in response to the crash of Flight 3407, which will help ensure we learn from this tragedy and save lives in the future. Hopefully the provisions dealing with pilots records, fatigue and regional airlines will protect against another accident like Flight 3407."

"This bill goes a long way toward improving safety, reducing congestion, and modernizing our aviation system so we adapt to future growth in air travel," said Senator Rockefeller, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. "For over 15 years, I have been fighting to improve air travel for passengers, airports and airlines. This bill reinforces the "one level of safety" standard across all commercial aircraft operations, updates our nation's antiquated air traffic control system, and most importantly protects consumers, placing efficiency and modernization center stage. We must work quickly to pass this bill and have it signed into law for the safety and future of America's air passengers."

"This bill represents an important commitment to modernizing our nation's air traffic control system and improving the safety of air travel across the country," said Senator Hutchison. "The benefits of Next Generation air traffic control include increased efficiency and expanded capacity, along with critical safety enhancements that are long overdue. This legislation must be a top priority for Congress, because it will provide the FAA with the resources it needs to improve America's current air travel system and prepare for the future."

"This FAA reauthorization bill is critical to transforming and modernizing our air traffic control system. Our current radar-based system is outdated and does not deliver the kind of service necessary to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of a modern air-transport system," said Senator Byron Dorgan, Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee. "This bill also addresses safety, the number one issue for my subcommittee. The bill improves access to pilot records for hiring decisions, enhances the FAA's oversight of pilot testing, training schools and safety inspections of regional carriers. It also requires the FAA to address the recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board, all with the goal of improving the safety our skies. This is a bill that the millions of people who fly every day can be proud of."

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