The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 this week, earning praise from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in the process.
The aviation industry, still recovering from the 35-day government shutdown earlier this year that saw numerous high profile cases of delays and scrutiny of overworked air traffic controllers, stands to gain from the bill. It would enable the aviation system and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue operating even if general funds were cut off by a similar shutdown again.
“We vigorously support this legislation and commend Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Rick Larsen (D-WA) for introducing the bill, as well as full Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) for their support,” GAMA President
The effects of the recent shutdown on U.S. air traffic was much maligned in the news and by lawmakers, so a bill like the Aviation Funding Stability Act is largely about the mitigation of future damage and delays. Regulatory actions, approvals, and other activities would all continue to be possible for the FAA under any future federal crisis.