Bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years has gained the support of more than 1,000 aviation industry stakeholders, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) said.
HR 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, was introduced June 9 by Graves, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA), the committee’s ranking member; Garret Graves (R-LA), chair of the aviation subcommittee; and Steve Cohen (D-TN), the aviation subcommittee ranking member.
“There has never been a more comprehensive FAA Reauthorization, or any legislation for that matter, specifically intended to help our nation’s general aviation sector,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Mark Baker. “We applaud the Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Sam Graves, for its hard work on this bill.”
Supporters of the bill include not just aviation industry leaders and stakeholders, but advocates for drones and other uncrewed vehicle systems, advocates for people with disabilities and advocates for consumers.
“This legislation would provide long-term certainty for the U.S. aviation industry and the National Airspace System in addition to the millions of travelers and shippers who rely on airlines to transport passengers and packages every day,” Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said. “This legislation is critical to ensuring that the aviation sector as a whole – both government agencies and industry – has the right technology, the right people and the right resources to increase efficiency and capacity for the future while remaining the gold standard in aviation safety.”
The aviation industry also supported the bill with numerous industry leaders issuing statements in defense of the bill.
“The Aerospace Industries Association welcomes the inclusion of many of our members’ priorities in the House FAA reauthorization bill, including building the necessary talent pipeline and infrastructure that will ensure safe, efficient air transport now and into the future,” Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning said. “This bipartisan legislation will take us to new heights in aerospace innovation and safety, and we thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and the committee for moving this bill swiftly through the process.”
On June 14, the bill was approved by the committee and moved on for consideration by the full House. The House is poised to take up the bill this month.