The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which steers aviation policy, has set its leadership for the new Congress, naming Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri) chairman and Rick Larsen (D-Washington) as the ranking minority member.
The moves were widely anticipated as Graves already held the ranking Republican position when the Democrats had control of the House. Larsen, meanwhile, had been the chair of the House aviation subcommittee but, with his seniority on the Democrat side, was poised to move into the full committee leadership position.
Graves, a staunch general aviation advocate, and Larsen, who has deep insight into aviation matters, take control of the committee in a year where Congress is preparing its next FAA reauthorization bill, which will establish funding levels and authorize the agency’s continued operations. FAA Reauthorization bills also host a variety of other aviation measures.
“One of my highest priorities is a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation programs,” Graves said. “As a professional pilot, I know firsthand just how important a strong U.S. aviation system is in connecting our large, small, and rural communities to each other and the rest of the world.”
“From reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Coast Guard, and pipeline safety programs, to another Water Resources Development Act and implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," added Larsen, "we have a lot of work to do to keep the economy moving and to build a safer and more accessible transportation system."
Noting that both he and Graves came to Congress in the same class 22 years ago, he said, “I look forward to a fruitful partnership in the 118th Congress.”
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) president and CEO Curt Castagna further praised their collaboration and bipartisan commitment toward maintaining the national airspace system, fostering innovation, and expanding the aviation workforce, “The wealth of industry knowledge and policy expertise that both chairman Graves and ranking member Larsen bring to their new leadership roles on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will be invaluable to NATA’s membership as the 118th Congress works on legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.”