U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Democrats have rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to separate the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), recently proposing their own aviation-system reform plan.
The Democrats’ Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2017 would remove the Airport and Airway Trust Fund from the budget and invest airline ticket taxes in aviation. The uncommitted balance of the fund would be used to rebuild and modernize facilities.
The bill also requires the FAA to update its procurement and personnel management systems and to cross-utilize staff across disciplines.
The FAA Management Advisory Council would be required to respond to all ATC recommendations within 90 days.
“Our alternative provides a stable, predictable funding stream for aviation programs; directs the FAA to run modernization programs using streamlined best practices; requires FAA to reform its personnel system; gives users a bigger role in managing the aviation system through the FAA’s Management Advisory Council; and authorizes funding to rebuild and modernize aging air traffic control facilities,” Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said.
The bill is sponsored by DeFazio and is cosponsored by Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) and all Democrats on the committee.