May 18, 2015

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will provide the business aviation community’s perspectives on the issues surrounding the debate over reauthorization of the FAA before a May 19 hearing by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee.

Like most federal agencies, the FAA must be “reauthorized,” or have its funding and priorities approved, by Congress every few years. The terms of the most recent reauthorization were approved by Congress and the White House in 2012, and are set to expire in September.

The Commerce Committee holds jurisdiction over the formation of the FAA reauthorization package that will ultimately be considered by the full Senate. The committee’s upcoming hearing is the fifth in a series of panels recently held on reauthorization for the agency.

“FAA reauthorization is among the most important issues currently before the aviation community,” said Bolen. “Business aviation is a critical part of the aviation sector, helping generate over a million jobs and more than $200 billion in economic activity each year. As the Senate debates reauthorization, this hearing provides an opportunity to remind lawmakers about the many ways business aviation supports citizens, companies and communities, and to ensure that the concerns of NBAA Members are well understood.”

Bolen’s appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee follows testimony he has provided to House lawmakers concerning FAA reauthorization. In recent months, Bolen has also participated in a number of Washington policy forums on the issue, including those hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Airline Pilots Association and other organizations.

Bolen’s May 19 Senate Committee testimony will be available via online video streaming from the committee’s website. Read more about the hearing, including how to livestream Bolen’s testimony.