After months of negotiations, the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act comfortably passed the Senate yesterday in a 69-30 vote, moving forward a package that would include $25 billion in airport and air traffic control infrastructure spending. The bill must next be taken up by the House, which is on its August break but may return this month to consider it.
The bipartisan infrastructure package has largely garnered broad industry support for additional funding marked for airports and aviation infrastructure.
“NATA applauds the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $2.5 billion investment in general aviation airports and $100 million investment in the contract tower program,” said NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts. “General aviation airports and the countless businesses associated with them create valuable economic development and well-paying jobs in communities across the nation while connecting those communities to vital transportation services and crucial disaster relief, medical care, and other emergency services. These much-needed funds will help maintain and modernize the infrastructure necessary to continue those essential services.”
NBAA also has praised the bill for provisions that focus on the promotion of transportation jobs and investments in future mobility demonstration projects.