The Aviation Funding Stability Act Would Protect FAA Programs From Government Shutdowns
GAMA is praising the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its members for passing H.R. 1108, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019.
“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,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “H.R. 1108 would provide targeted stability for the aviation system to function in the event of another U.S. government shutdown, including air traffic and critical elements of aviation safety, while ensuring congressional oversight.”
The U.S. aviation system is an extremely complex and interconnected one that provides the highest levels of safety and the largest and most robust air services network in the world. The strength of aviation manufacturing’s jobs creation and economic contribution is dependent on a fully operating and functioning FAA being able to undertake regulatory actions and approvals in order to bring aircraft, engines, avionics and other new technologies and products to the U.S. and global marketplace and to properly maintain in the existing fleet.
The aviation industry’s recovery from the recent 35-day U.S. partial government shutdown will be both lengthy and complicated, and any subsequent shutdown of the FAA would multiply the negative impacts on small businesses, the economy and safety. The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 will help the aviation industry avoid any further harmful disruptions.
“We look forward to working with members of this Committee, the broader Congress and other stakeholders who share jurisdiction in a bipartisan way to advance this legislation in the near-term and mitigate the consequences of any future government shutdown on the FAA,” said Bunce.
“We are pleased that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed legislation to help protect funding for the FAA. In particular, we commend the Committee for including an amendment to increase funding for the Airport Improvement Program, which supports critical long-term funding projects and our national system of airports as a whole,” said Alliance for Aviation Across America Executive Director Selena Shilad in a statement released to the media. “There are over 5000 airports around the country, the majority of which are general aviation airports, and play an essential role in supporting local businesses, driving economic activity and connecting communities to medical care, disaster relief, fire-fighting, and many other critical services.
“We look forward to working with Members of Congress on issues important to general aviation and local airports, including support for the Airport Improvement Program.”
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