U.S. House and Senate lawmakers are holding out hope to push through the five-year FAA reauthorization bill this week before the agency’s operating authority is set to expire at the end of Friday, but negotiations regarding potential amendments, including those unrelated to the bill, have made the path less clear.
The leadership of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee early last week unveiled their comprehensive 1,069-page FAA package, H.R.3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and the Senate began consideration of the bill also last week.
However, some Senators have looked at the bill—considered a must-pass measure—as a possible venue to push through provisions that otherwise may not get through Congress, including one from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) surrounding a radiation compensation program. This was one of many up for debate. Nearly 100 amendments have been filed since the compromise agreement was filed, along with dozens of older amendments filed in September. The concern is that, even if the Senate were to adopt some of these measures, they could sink the bill in the House.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota) told the Washington insider publication Politico last week that another extension of FAA’s authorization—which would be the fourth since the last five-year FAA reauthorization bill was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2023—may be necessary. Others, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)—the ranking Republican on the Commerce Committee—appeared more determined to get the bill through this week.
As of yesterday, the House and Senate had not yet begun negotiating terms of another short-term extension.
Meanwhile, aviation leaders are urging Congress to pass the bill, and NBAA put out a call to its members to weigh in on the issue through a joint open letter. “We urge you to oppose non-germane amendments and swiftly pass this important legislation before the current authorization expires,” the letter states, offering support for the package, which “strengthens the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of general aviation.”
The letter further points out measures to prioritize safety, streamline regulations, and improve certification processes for general aviation aircraft, including advanced air mobility. “These measures will not only ensure the continued safe operation of general aviation but also promote innovation and technological advancement within the industry,” the letter said.