Support for FAA reauthorization grows as Senate considers action

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Members of the aviation community, including pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, aerospace workers, airports, manufacturers and others, voiced their support this week as the U.S. Senate began its consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024.

This week, the leadership from the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, and the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced a bipartisan agreement on a bill to reauthorize the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board for the next five years. The legislation appropriates more than $105 billion for the FAA and $738 million for the NTSB. The legislation would replace the temporary law overseeing the FAA scheduled to expire on May 10.

U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D- WA), chair of the Commerce Committee, and Ted Cruz (R-TX), Commerce Committee ranking member, joined U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO), House T&I Committee chair, and Rick Larsen (D-WA) T&I ranking member, to announce the legislation that prioritizes investments in aviation safety standards, enhanced consumer protections, advancing technology and innovation, and workforce development, on Monday.

Among those offering support of the legislation were industry unions who applauded the work the bill does to protect workers.

“The bipartisan agreement reached to reauthorize the FAA is a victory for workers across the aviation industry, and the AFL-CIO urges its prompt passage,” said Liz Schuler, President, AFL-CIO. “From production to operation and maintenance, our aviation affiliates, owning their power as essential contributors to the American economy and way of life, made their voices heard. This agreement shows that lawmakers listened. The agreement’s array of provisions advances the rights of workers, from growing the workforce to improving safety and health on the job.”

The Airports Council International – North America and the American Association of Airport Executive also voiced their support for the bill.

“Congress has an opportunity to approve bipartisan and bicameral FAA reauthorization legislation in the days ahead that enhances safety, increases investment in the nation’s airports, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, addresses workforce challenges, advances environmental goals, and promotes air service across the country,” said Kevin Burke, President and CEO, ACI-NA; and Todd Hauptli, President and CEO, AAAE, in a statement. “We urge adoption of this important measure quickly to provide much-needed certainty to airports and the nation’s aviation system.”

Industry organizations with indirect ties to aviation, like the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), also said they supported the bill.

“NSSGA represents the aggregates and industrial sand industry of our country, with over 9,000 facilities and more than 100,000 employees in high-paying jobs. The aggregates industry produces 100 percent of the material for the airfield pavement foundations; 95 percent of the raw material in asphalt concrete overlays; and 70-85 percent of the cement concrete overlays, making aggregates the number one material used in our aviation infrastructure,” Michael Johnson, president and CEO of NSSGA, said. “As this critical legislation crosses the finish line, our members will waste no time in working alongside the FAA in supplying the raw materials needed to enhance our nation’s runways. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 supports efforts to improve U.S. runways, taxiways, and associated infrastructure by authorizing a significant increase to the Airport Improvement Program. We also appreciate the authorization for the FAA to carry out a program for the research and development of concrete and asphalt pavement technologies that will extend the life of airfield pavements.”