Federal legislation that would protect the U.S. National Airspace System during any lapses in federal funding passed the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Dec. 18.
The legislation was passed along with several other infrastructure bills that would impact the federal government’s infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), the chair of the T&I Committee said the bill would allow the federal government to tap into funding to pay aviation professionals and others during a government shutdown.
“Today, the Committee approved legislation to ensure that the aviation system and safety in the United States will not be jeopardized again by any potential government shutdowns. Under the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, we will be able to tap into an existing, but little-used, source of aviation funding to ensure that air traffic controllers and other FAA professionals responsible for the safety and efficiency of our airspace will be paid when there’s a lapse in federal funding,” Graves said.
The Aviation Funding Solvency Act, H.R. 6086, is bipartisan legislation that ensure during any future government shutdowns, the U.S. National Airspace System and those responsible for its safe and efficient operation are protected from any funding lapses. The bill would allow the FAA to access the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to cover the costs of keeping the American aviation system running, while maintaining a healthy balance in the Revolving Fund to address any potential claims. The legislation was introduced by Graves, and U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA), the T&I Committee ranking member, Troy E. Nehls (R-TX), Aviation Subcommittee chairman, and Andre Carson (D-IN), Aviation Subcommittee ranking member.
“Today, the T&I Committee extended our bipartisan streak to advance bills that ensure air traffic controllers and other critical aviation safety staff get paid in future shutdowns, protect the safety and cleanliness of water bodies across America, decrease pedestrian deaths at railroad crossings and so much more,” Larsen said.