Congress Puts Brakes on U.S. ATC Privatization Proposal

The U.S. Congress appears headed toward a second short-term extension of FAA authorization after the House version of a comprehensive reauthorization bill has apparently stalled over its controversial proposal to create a user-funded, not-for-profit air traffic control organization. Reports surfaced late last week that the House leadership was planning hold up the bill, H.R.4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, in favor of a short-term extension while an agreement on a long-term bill is hashed out.

Meanwhile, the Senate, which has been waiting for House action, indicated plans to move ahead with its own bill, and most believe it will be absent the ATC proposal that stalled the House bill. While work is continuing on a long-term bill, though, the Senate has suggested it would be open to a second short-term extension to provide time to complete the long-term bill. A three-month extension has been suggested as the most likely scenario.

The House bill faltered after the ATC proposal drew opposition from House Appropriations leaders and skepticism from some other conservative Republicans. It also generated substantial opposition from House Democrats, a number of FAA unions, airline consumer groups and the general aviation industry. But neither the architect of the proposal, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), nor the proposal’s primary proponent, Airlines for America, are expected to drop their push for the proposal. In fact, Shuster is expected to meet with a number of key House lawmakers in the upcoming weeks to push his proposal.

“FAA reauthorization legislation…was beset by concerns from the aviation industry, partisan struggles and jurisdictional questions before being set aside this week,” said AOPA president Mark Baker. “Throughout this process, AOPA made it clear that we won’t accept user fees in any form on any segment of general aviation.” The association said it will continue to work with Congress to ensure key priorities are addressed in the reauthorization bill, including medical and certification reforms and long-term funding for modernization, airports and unleaded fuels.

The Experimental Aircraft Association echoed those sentiments. “This win allows us to focus on the issues that are tremendously important to the GA community and to EAA members,” said EAA CEO and chairman Jack Pelton.