House and Senate lawmakers have reached an agreement on a comprehensive five-year FAA reauthorization bill and appear poised to pass it before the latest extension of the FAA’s operating authority expires on May 10. Unveiled today, the 1,069-page bill also would reauthorize the National Transportation Safety Board through fiscal year 2028 and continue the aviation excise taxes without change through the reauthorization periods.
The agreement comes seven months after the term of the last five-year reauthorization bill was complete and follows three short-term extensions. However, in reauthorization cycles, that is relatively expeditious—the 2018 bill required six extensions.
H.R.3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, is expected to come under consideration in the Senate beginning tomorrow. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has filed a cloture motion that would cut off debate and clear the way for a vote.
As for the compromise package, it is wide-ranging covering myriad safety, consumer, cybersecurity, workforce, airport, and advanced technology measures, among many others. House and Senate negotiators retained the title of general aviation, a first for an FAA reauthorization bill, that includes additional safety, medical, and other measures tailored for the sector.
The massive bill also includes a title dedicated to facilitating the development of the advanced air mobility sector but in a safe manner.
“Now more than ever, the FAA needs strong and decisive direction from Congress to ensure America’s aviation system maintains its gold standard, and we have reached a bipartisan, bicameral, comprehensive agreement to do just that,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Missouri) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Washington) in a joint statement.
“Our bill provides critical safety enhancements, grows America’s aviation workforce, invests in infrastructure at airports of all sizes, sets clear priorities for advancing innovative aviation solutions, improves the flying public’s travel experience, and ensures a healthy general aviation sector for years to come.”